Basava Sagara Dam On High Alert After Crest Gate Damage At Tunga Bhadra Dam

The Basava Sagara dam, located in Bijapur district of Karnataka, has been put on high alert after a significant amount of water flowed out of the crest gate (No. 19) of the Tunga Bhadra Dam over the past two days. The incident has raised concerns about the maintenance of the state's reservoirs, particularly in light of the damage to the crest gate at the Basava Sagara dam (formerly known as Narayanpura Dam) in 2006.

The Basavasagara Reservoir, which is currently 100% full, has been re-evaluating its crest gates in response to the incident. Vijaykumar Arali, the reservoir division officer, has confirmed that all 30 gates are in good condition and are functioning properly.

In 2006, Crest Gate No. 5 of the Basavasagara Reservoir was damaged by water force, but thanks to the effective operation of the stop-lock system, a major disaster was averted. A new crest gate was installed within two days with the help of a crane.

The maintenance of the crest gates is a critical aspect of the reservoir's operations. The Basavasagara Reservoir includes 30 major electronic-based crest gates with a radial (triangular) design, which can be raised up to 10.50 meters. When high inflows occur, electronic-based ropes are used to operate the gates. The reservoir undergoes annual maintenance, including painting, welding, and greasing of the gates, which costs between 60 to 70 lakhs INR.

Before releasing water into the river and after doing so, maintenance tasks are carried out. The gates are frequently checked, and high volumes of water have been released from the reservoir into the river up to 3.30 lakh cusecs. All 30 crest gates have been effectively operated, according to officials.

The Basava Sagara dam had previously been in a state of overflow but is now fully filled. With a capacity of 33.33 TMC and a height of 492.25 meters, it currently holds 33.12 TMC of water, maintaining a level of 492.21 meters.