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Rising water pressure after heavy rain caused the failure of crest gate (controls overflow of reservoir). It has raised concerns of floods as well as of dam safety in Karnataka.
About Tungabhadra or Pampa Dam
- It is a multipurpose dam (Completed in 1958) built across Tungabhadra River in Hospet, Ballari district (Karnataka).
- M. Visvesvaraya was chairman of board of engineers for Dam construction.
About Tungabhadra River
- Derives its name from two streams viz. Tunga and Bhadra which originates in western ghats and confluences near Shimoga to form Tungabhadra. It is a tributary of Krishna River.
Concerns associated with dam safety in India
- Aging dams: 80% of large dams in India are already over 25 years old.
- Seismic vulnerability: E.g. earthquake in Bhuj (Gujarat) in 2001, led to liquefaction in foundation of Chang Dam.
- Flood/Excessive rain: E.g.Chungthang Dam Sikkim’s highest dam was washed away during flash floods. (Oct 2023)
- Other concerns: Overtopping (gully erosion) failures, Sedimentation etc.
Steps Taken for Dam Safety
- Dam Safety Act 2021
- Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)
- Web-based tool Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring Application (DHARMA)
Dams in India (According to National Register of Large Dams, 2023)
Dam Failure
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