Tunga Reservoir gate chain link found weak; engineers, irrigation corporation officers inspect
Shivamogga: A potential safety concern has emerged at the Tunga Reservoir in Gajanur, Shivamogga district, after the chain link of Gate 8 was found to be on the verge of breaking. This issue, discovered during a routine inspection amid this year’s monsoon, has raised alarms about the structural integrity of the dam.
The weakened chain link was identified as a precautionary measure, leading authorities to decide against raising Gate 8 until the link can be repaired after the monsoon season. The discovery has sparked concerns, especially in light of the recent incident at the Tungabhadra Reservoir, where a gate failure resulted in significant flooding.
In response to media reports highlighting the issue, officers from the Karnataka Neeravari Nigama (Irrigation Corporation) conducted an inspection of the dam site. Engineers provided detailed information on the condition of the reservoir and the necessary steps being taken to ensure safety.
This year’s heavy rainfall in the Tunga River basin has led to a significant rise in water levels at the reservoir. At one point, authorities were forced to release up to 85,000 cusecs of water in a single day. While 21 of the 22 gates were opened to manage the water flow, Gate 8 remained closed due to the weakened chain link.
The Tunga Reservoir, which spans several thousand hectares and has a capacity of 3,500 TMC of water, plays a crucial role in supplying drinking water to Shivamogga city. It also supports lift irrigation for nearby agricultural fields. Given the reservoir’s importance, the safety of its infrastructure is a top priority for the district and state authorities.
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Assam records nearly 18 pc voter turnout in first two hours of assembly polls
Guwahati (PTI): A voter turnout of 17.87 per cent was recorded in the first two hours of the assembly elections in Assam, where the BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term in power, while the Congress is striving to reclaim a state it lost a decade ago.
Polling began at 7 am for the 126-member assembly, and 17.87 per cent of the state's 2.5 crore voters exercised their franchise till 9 am, officials said.
A total of 722 candidates are in the fray for the elections, which is largely witnessing a direct contest between the BJP-led ruling coalition and the opposition bloc helmed by the Congress.
The river island of Majuli recorded the highest turnout in the first two hours at 20.03 per cent, while Tamulpur in the Bodoland Territorial Region witnessed the lowest at 15.32 per cent.
Voters began queuing outside polling booths since early morning, despite rain in many parts of the state.
Prominent candidates who have cast their votes so far include Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia in Nazira, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi in Khowang, and BJP's Pradyut Bordoloi.
Votes are being cast at 31,490 polling stations across the 35 districts of the state, with polling concluding at 5 pm.
Among the heavyweight candidates whose fates would be decided in this election are Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi.
The Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. The AIUDF has 30 candidates, while NDA constituents Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) are contesting 26 and 11 seats, respectively.
In the opposition bloc, Raijor Dal is contesting 13 seats, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) 10, CPI(M) 3 and APHLC 2. Other parties in the fray include AAP (18), UPPL (18), TMC (22), JMM (16), besides 258 Independents.
Algapur-Katlicherra and Karimganj South have the highest number of candidates at 15 each, while nine constituencies -- Rangia, Jagiroad (SC), Hojai, Naduar, Jonai (ST), Doomdooma, Mahmora, Teok and Lakhipur -- have only two candidates each.
