VIJAYAWADA/HOSAPETE: Minister for Finance Payyavula Keshav announced that repairs to the washed-away crest gate No. 19 of the Tungabhadra Dam are progressing rapidly, with the gate expected to be reinstalled within a day or two.
Addressing the media in Anantapur, Keshav stated, “Engineers are working around the clock despite the challenges to restore the gate as quickly as possible to conserve the valuable water. While the repair work has started, several temporary small gates have been constructed as a provisional measure. These will be delivered to the dam site on Thursday.”
He detailed that the installation of the new gate must be carried out amidst the fast-moving floodwaters. The Jindal company has been enlisted to provide cranes necessary for the installation. “This repair effort, under the current conditions with floodwater discharging at a rate of 30,000 cusecs, is both risky and commendable. We are hopeful for a successful installation,” Keshav added.
Engineers and experts have begun setting up a temporary crest gate at the dam, with the process starting after Vijayanagara District Incharge Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and Tungabhadra Board officials performed a puja for the river.
Heavy-duty cranes transported four metal sheets, each weighing 10 tonnes, to the dam. Additional cranes and steel sheets are expected to arrive on Thursday, with the goal to complete the installation within three days. Keshav mentioned that the outflow is currently maintained at 1.20 lakh cusecs, with 23 TMC of water already released. The aim is to preserve as much water as possible for agricultural use.
Zameer Ahmed Khan noted that hydro-mechanical engineer N. Kannaiah Naidu and his team have committed to finishing the repairs by August 17. This will ensure sufficient water supply for farmers across Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
The collapse of gate No. 19 on the night of August 10, due to the immense pressure of floodwaters, led to an emergency release of water from the dam. The situation remains under high alert, particularly in Kurnool and Anantapur districts downstream, though initial panic has eased. The Kurnool district administration continues to monitor the situation closely, with SDRF and NDRF teams on standby to handle any emergencies.