Karnataka rain: All 22 crest gates of Tunga dam at Gajanur opened to release excess water

On July 6, 2026, all 22 crest gates of the Tunga dam at Gajanur in Shivamogga district, Karnataka, were opened to release excess water. This action followed heavy rainfall in the dam's catchment area, which began on July 4 and continued into the following days. The water level in the reservoir had reached its maximum capacity on July 4 due to increasing inflows caused by the heavy rains. As a result, authorities decided to open all the gates to manage the rising water levels and prevent potential overflow or damage to the dam structure. By July 7, the gross storage in the Tunga reservoir had reached 3.24 TMC (thousand million cubic feet), matching the dam’s total capacity. To address this situation, officials managing the Upper Tunga project increased the outflow significantly. Early in the day on July 7, the inflow was recorded at 21,508 cusecs, while the outflow was at 19,078 cusecs. However, by 3:30 p.m., the inflow surged to 46,385 cusecs, leading to an immediate increase in the outflow to 43,305 cusecs. Over the past three days, approximately 6.5 TMC of water had been discharged from the dam, though this figure was much lower compared to the 60 TMC discharged between June 1 and July 7 in the previous year. Typically, around 200 TMC of water is discharged annually from the Tunga dam. The decision to open all the gates came amid concerns about the safety of nearby communities and infrastructure. Despite the dam being full and all gates open, there was growing interest among tourists who wanted to visit the site. However, officials have restricted access to ensure public safety and maintain operational control over the dam. The Tunga river merges with the Bhadra river at Kudli near Shivamogga, making it a critical water source for the Tunga Bhadra dam located at Hosapete in Vijayanagara district. Heavy rainfall affected several areas in Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts starting from July 4. Moderate to heavy rain led to disruptions in daily life, with reports of houses being damaged when tree branches fell onto them. In the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. on July 6, Masthikatte in Hosanagara taluk of Shivamogga district recorded the highest rainfall at 178 mm. Similarly, Bettagere in Mudigere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district saw the highest rainfall at 115.5 mm, while Kyamanahalli in Sakleshpur taluk of Hassan district recorded 73 mm of rainfall. Due to ongoing heavy downpours, school holidays were declared in several regions of the Malnad region in Karnataka. On July 7, primary schools, high schools, and anganwadi centers in Koppa, Sringeri, and Mudigere taluks of Chikkamagaluru district remained closed. In Shivamogga district, educational institutions in Tirthahalli, Sagar, and Bhadravati taluks also stayed shut to ensure the safety of students and staff. The recent weather patterns have raised concerns about the impact of such heavy rainfall on local communities and infrastructure. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that necessary precautions are taken to mitigate risks associated with flooding and landslides. With the monsoon season still active, further measures might be required to manage water levels and protect vulnerable areas from potential hazards.