A critical crest gate at the Shramabindu Sagar barrage, popularly known as the Hipparagi barrage, suffered severe damage on Tuesday due to intense water pressure in the Krishna River. The incident in Bagalkot district led to a significant and uncontrolled release of water from the reservoir, raising immediate concerns for downstream areas.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
The failure occurred around noon at gate number 22 of the barrage located in Hipparagi village, Jamakhandi taluk. Constructed in 1989 through the initiative of local farmers led by the late former Union minister Siddu Nyamagouda, the barrage is a landmark private irrigation project built with a pooled fund of approximately Rs 1 crore. District Minister RB Timmapur rushed to the site for inspection and convened an emergency meeting with irrigation officials to address the crisis.
Minister Timmapur provided a stark assessment of the water loss. "Due to the damage, approximately 0.7 TMC of water has been let into the river over the last three to four hours," he stated. He added that initial fears of flooding in downstream villages were fortunately not realized. A senior revenue official confirmed that the sudden water influx did not cause any crop damage in areas below the barrage.
Significance of the Barrage and Ongoing Measures
The Hipparagi barrage is no ordinary structure. Managed by the farmers' cooperative Krishna Theera Raitha Sangha, it plays a pivotal role in the region's agriculture. It stores nearly 6 TMC of water, primarily excess releases from the upstream Almatti reservoir, to irrigate about 75,000 acres of farmland during the crucial summer months, serving as a lifeline for Jamakhandi taluk and adjoining regions.
Officials revealed that an Andhra Pradesh-based firm is entrusted with the servicing and management of the barrage's crest gates. In response to the failure, emergency gates are being operated to curb the uncontrolled outflow until permanent repairs can be made. "Efforts are underway to reduce the uncontrolled outflow," an official said.
Repair Plans and Current Risk Assessment
Minister Timmapur has assured that a team of technical experts will soon arrive to assess the damage and begin repair works at the earliest. Authorities are seeking to reassure the public, emphasizing that the current situation is under control. "As the inflow of water into the Krishna River is currently low, there is no immediate threat to the public," another official clarified, aiming to allay fears among residents in downstream villages.
The incident has highlighted the operational challenges facing critical irrigation infrastructure, especially those built and managed through community initiative. The focus now is on swift restoration to secure water storage before the peak agricultural demand period.
