Bodalkasa Dam Water Discharge Ceases After Five Days
The Bodalkasa Dam in Gondia has halted water discharge following a breach, leaving 50% of its capacity intact.
The Bodalkasa Dam was built in 1917 and experienced a breach on October 12.
After five days of emergency work, water discharge was successfully stopped on October 17.
Authorities confirmed that downstream villages and crops were not adversely affected.
In a significant development, the State Irrigation Department announced that the water discharge from the Bodalkasa Dam in Gondia has been successfully halted after five days of intensive efforts. The dam, which was nearly full at the time of the incident, now retains 50% of its water storage capacity.
The Bodalkasa Dam, constructed in 1917 during British rule, faced a critical situation when a crack appeared in the left bank canal wall on October 12. This prompted immediate action from the irrigation authorities, who worked tirelessly to build embankments and control the water flow. By the evening of October 17, the discharge was officially stopped, although monitoring continued to ensure stability.
Officials reported that the controlled discharge was effective, resulting in no damage to downstream villages or standing crops. The Kharif irrigation process through the main outlet of the left canal remains uninterrupted, providing reassurance to local farmers and residents.
As the situation stabilizes, the department plans to initiate repairs on the breached embankment and spillway. The reservoir, which was approximately 95% full at the time of the breach, currently holds about 7.852 million cubic meters of live storage. Key officials, including Tirora MLA Vijay Rahangdale and collector Mandar Patki, visited the site to oversee the repair operations and ensure prompt action was taken.
Looking ahead, the irrigation department is set to finalize the design and other preparatory work before commencing the reconstruction of the damaged areas. The swift response by the engineering team, led by executive engineer Rajiv Kurekar and supported by various other officials, has been crucial in mitigating potential disaster during this critical time.
