Alarming situation at Srisailam Dam, says Telangana; Warns NDSA of potential catastrophe

Built in 1981 across the Krishna River, the Srisailam Dam is a vital multipurpose project supporting Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It generates hydroelectric power with an installed capacity of 900 MW for Telangana and 770 MW for Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, it facilitates irrigation, provides drinking water to extensive areas in both states, and is a key component of the Telugu Ganga Project, which supplies drinking water to Chennai. The dam also plays a crucial role in flood management.

Hyderabad: An alarming situation is emerging at the Srisailam Dam as major deterioration in the plunge pool area downstream of the spillway threatens the structural integrity of this vital infrastructure. In an urgent communication given to the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), Telangana State Committee on Dam Safety (SCDS) chairman and Engineer-in-Chief (General) N. Anil Kumar has sounded an alarm, urging immediate action to prevent a potential catastrophe.

Constructed in 1981 across the Krishna River, the Srisailam Dam is a crucial multipurpose project that serves as a lifeline for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It provides hydroelectric power with an installed capacity of 900 MW for Telangana and 770 MW for Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, it supports irrigation and drinking water supply to vast regions in both states and is integral to the Telugu Ganga Project, which supplies drinking water to Chennai. The dam also plays a pivotal role in flood control.

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Alarming deterioration

Recent inspections, coupled with reports from print and electronic media, reveal that the unprecedented discharge during the 2009 floods – approximately 25 lakh cusecs against the dam’s designed capacity of 14 lakh cusecs, caused substantial scouring and created a large void in the plunge pool area downstream of the spillway. This has raised serious concerns about the dam’s safety and stability.

Studies conducted by the National Institute of Oceanography, commissioned by the Andhra Pradesh Government, indicate severe erosion. If left unaddressed, this could compromise the overall stability of the dam, which stands at a maximum height of 143.26 metres from its deepest foundation level.

Experts warn that a breach at the Srisailam Dam would unleash an enormous volume of water, potentially causing massive flooding in downstream areas across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The cascading effects could be catastrophic, with widespread destruction to power and irrigation infrastructure, disruption of water supplies, and severe humanitarian impacts on lakhs of residents.

Threat of breach

The threat extends beyond the immediate vicinity of Srisailam. A breach could also jeopardize the safety of other critical infrastructures, including the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Pulichintala Dam, and Prakasam Barrage. The potential consequences include extensive resource losses in irrigation, power generation, and drinking water supply systems that support Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and even Chennai through the Telugu Ganga Project.

In his letter, the SCDS chairman urged NDSA to depute an expert team to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the plunge pool damage and review the structural integrity of the dam. Stressing on even immediate temporary measures, he wanted the NDSA to explore solutions such as the use of interlocking tetrapods to enhance energy dissipation and prevent further scouring during the upcoming rainy season. He also called for a coordinated action plan to initiate both immediate temporary measures and long-term rehabilitation strategies to safeguard the dam.