THUNGABHADRA RIVER

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• The Tungabhadra is historically and culturally important. It has been a vital resource for irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power generation. The river basin is also home to several ancient and medieval historical sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, which was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire
• Serving as a natural boundary between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the Tungabhadra River drains a catchment area of nearly 70,000 square kilometers. The Tungabhadra Reservoir, primarily situated in Karnataka’s Vijayanagar district, covers an area of 378 square kilometers and is a key water source for irrigation, industrial use, and drinking water for both Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
• The Tungabhadra Dam, located near the town of Hospet in Karnataka, is one of the largest and most important dams on the river. It was completed in 1953 and serves multiple purposes, including irrigation, flood control, and electricity generation
• The river supports a variety of flora and fauna and is crucial for the agriculture of the region.
• The river has several tributaries, with the most significant ones being the Varada, Hagari, and Handri rivers
• The river is crucial for agriculture in the region, supporting the cultivation of crops like rice, sugarcane, and cotton
• The idea for the dam dates back to 1860, with the aim of reducing the effects of frequent famines in the Rayalaseema region. Construction began under the governments of Hyderabad and Madras in 1945 and was completed in 1953
• It holds religious significance for Hindus and is mentioned in ancient Indian epics
• However, it has faced ecological challenges, including pollution and reduced water flow due to over-extraction and damming
• The Tungabhadra Board was formed by a presidential order in 1953. It currently includes a chairman appointed by the Union government and four members representing the Union government, and the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana

• The Tungabhadra Dam, located near Hospet in Karnataka, is one of the largest dams in South India. Constructed across the Tungabhadra River, this multipurpose dam was completed in 1953 and has been vital for irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation.
• The reservoir formed by the dam spans an area of approximately 378 square kilometers and primarily serves the agricultural and industrial needs of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
• On August 10, 2024, the Tungabhadra Board reported that ten spillway gates, specifically from gate numbers 12 to 21, were opened to a height of 1.5 feet, releasing 22,890 cusecs of water.
• Spillways, or overflow channels, are designed to regulate the controlled release of water from a reservoir. One of the spillway gates failed when a link in the chain operating it broke, causing the 60-foot-by-20-foot gate, weighing approximately 20 tonnes, to be swept 500 feet away by the water's force.
• At that time, the reservoir was at its maximum level of 1,633 feet, holding its full capacity of around 105.8 TMC (thousand million cubic feet). The inflow was recorded at 40,925 cusecs, while the outflow was 28,133 cusecs.
• Due to the accumulation of silt over the years, about 30% of the dam's original capacity has been lost. To address this issue, the state government has proposed constructing a balancing reservoir