Bengaluru/Koppal: A major crisis has erupted at the Tungabhadra Reservoir, the lifeline for farmers in Koppal, Ballari, Raichur, and Vijayanagar districts, as seven crest gates of the dam have jammed due to poor maintenance, triggering widespread panic among farmers.
The issue comes barely a year after the 19th crest gate was washed away, resulting in the loss of several TMC of water and devastating farmers dependent on irrigation. Despite the setback, government agencies failed to act on warnings, leading to the current situation where seven gates cannot be lifted or lowered.
Koppal District In-charge Minister Shivraj Thangadagi confirmed the crisis, stating that several gates were damaged, making it impossible to regulate water flow during heavy inflows. “When inflow exceeds 1.5 lakh cusecs, the gates need to be operated, but they are jammed due to structural defects,” the minister said.
The Dam Safety Inspection Committee had earlier submitted a shocking report recommending immediate gate replacement, but the government did not act. Currently, the reservoir holds 80 TMC of water, raising fears of flooding and loss of irrigation supply if inflows rise further.
Experts warn that farmers may receive water only for the first crop, while the second crop is under severe threat, sparking outrage against government negligence and bureaucratic irresponsibility.
Meanwhile, continuous heavy rainfall across Karnataka has worsened the situation. In Chikkaballapur, tomato crops have been severely damaged, while in Gadag, rainwater has even seeped into the district administration building.
Farmers’ groups have demanded urgent intervention, accusing elected representatives of ignoring dam safety and risking both agriculture and public safety.
