Date:07/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/07/stories/2008080750250100.htm

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Geological fault behind dam breach?

HYDERABAD: A subterranean fault, a geological phenomenon, is being claimed by officials as the likely cause for the Palemvagu reservoir’s breach in Khammam district on Monday, rather than defect in quality, design or execution.

They gave this explanation to Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Wednesday for the heavy damage to the dam that was built at a cost of Rs. 71 crore during a review meeting he held on the damages caused by the heavy rain in the State. Expressing concern over reports of the breach, Dr. Reddy asked the Irrigation Department to take utmost care in quality control and insisted on third party inspection.

YSR’s directive

He told the Irrigation Department that there should be no lacunae as far as quality was concerned in the construction of projects, according to a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office.

Expressing concern over the death of 13 persons in the recent rain, he directed various departments, including Roads & Buildings, Irrigation, GHMC, Health and Medical, to take up repairs, provide relief and distribute food.

He was informed that though 40,000 hectares of crops were inundated, the water was receding and normality could be restored in a day or two.

The number of damaged houses was put at 1664. Repairs were taken up on a priority to breaches in 109 minor irrigation tanks in Warangal, Karimnagar, Khammam, Adilabad and East Godavari districts.