A Lifeline Restored: Tungabhadra Dam Ready to Hit Full Capacity

In a significant development for farmers, all crest gates at the Tungabhadra Dam in Karnataka have been successfully installed, completing a major upgrade aimed at restoring and enhancing the reservoir’s water storage capacity.

The dam had encountered serious issues on August 10, 2024, when one of its crest gates was washed away during heavy inflows, forcing authorities to use a temporary stop-log gate to prevent further water loss. Following expert assessments that highlighted risks to the 73-year-old structure, a decision was taken to replace all crest gates as part of a comprehensive safety and capacity improvement measure.

The upgrade work began in December 2025, with installation of the new gates commencing on December 24. While the primary installation has been completed, finishing tasks such as welding and painting are still underway. The reservoir is expected to be fully operational by the end of May, allowing it to store water at full capacity once again and improving irrigation prospects.

Last year’s reduced storage levels had adversely affected irrigation and disrupted cropping cycles. According to Tungabhadra Board Secretary B R K Reddy, additional components such as chain links are expected to arrive by the second week of May, after which the reservoir will be ready to function at its maximum capacity.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.