BELLARY: Tungabhadra dam, the lifeline of Bellary, Koppal and Raichur districts in Karnataka, is full to its capacity. The water level reached its highest level of 1,633 feet on Sunday and TB dam authorities started releasing water since 8 am on Sunday.
22 of the 33 crest gates have been opened, raising the height by 2 feet, to release around 70,000 cusecs of water to the river. On Saturday evening, around 5,000 cusecs was released, following increased inflow into the dam. Ten gates were opened at around 12 midnight and 22 gates at 8 am on Sunday, sources said.
Following increase in the release of water, villages alongside the river are facing a flood threat. The TB dam board officials have asked people living on the banks of the river, to move to safer places with their cattle and fodder.
As of now, the dam has around 104.340 tmc feet of water stored, and is receiving an inflow of 22,320 cusecs.