Repairs Begin At Sunkesula Barrage Gates
Currently, the barrage is receiving heavy flood inflows. Officials have warned that if inflows cross three lakh cusecs, all gates must be opened to release water. However, the damaged gates may not function properly, raising safety concerns.
Kurnool: The government has taken up urgent repair works at the Sunkesula barrage, a key water source for irrigation and drinking needs in the Rayalaseema region. Due to years of poor maintenance, several gates of the barrage have been damaged. Out of the 30 gates, the ropes of gates 4, 5, 7, 11, 12 and 29 are broken, making it difficult to lift them fully.
Currently, the barrage is receiving heavy flood inflows. Officials have warned that if inflows cross three lakh cusecs, all gates must be opened to release water. However, the damaged gates may not function properly, raising safety concerns.
The Sunkesula Barrage plays a crucial role in supplying water to the Kurnool-Cuddapah (KC) canal, which irrigates about 2.80 lakh acres in the drought-prone Rayalaseema region. It also provides drinking water to Kurnool city and releases around 150 TMC of water every year to the Srisailam reservoir, supporting the Krishna River system. The barrage has previously suffered heavy damage during floods in 2009 and 2013.
To address the current issue, the government has released Rs 30 lakh for repairs. A six-member team of technical experts has started the work. A senior engineer said the repair process may take around 20 to 25 days.
Officials say repairs are crucial since water remains in the barrage throughout the year. Releasing water downstream to enable the work could lead to a drinking water shortage in Kurnool, especially during summer. Hence, proper planning is required to store water and ensure uninterrupted supply before taking up full-scale repairs, said officials.