Officials alarmed as large dam reaches full capacity: 'We are closely monitoring'

Authorities in Tirumala, a sacred hill town in India, are celebrating a significant achievement as all major local dams have reached full capacity following days of intense rainfall. A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal brought heavy rains to the Sheshachalam forest region surrounding the town, rapidly filling the five main reservoirs that serve the city and its renowned Hindu temple complex.

According to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the Papavinasanam, Gogarbham, Akashaganga, Kumaradhara, and Pasupudhara dams are nearly at their limits. Collectively, these reservoirs now store enough water to support the community including residents, hotels, and temple pilgrims for the next seven months, until May 2026. The town consumes roughly 5 million gallons of water daily, making this a major relief after several drier-than-usual monsoon seasons.

The Papavinasanam dam alone is close to 99% full, holding over 4.8 billion gallons, while Gogarbham and Kumaradhara are just below maximum levels. This ample supply will lessen the dependence on external sources, such as the Kalyani dam and the Telugu Ganga project in nearby Tirupati.

The heavy rainfall has also benefited the local ecosystem, rejuvenating the surrounding forests and wildlife habitats that rely on consistent water availability. Similar positive outcomes have been reported in other regions, including Californias Lake Oroville and several reservoirs in Northern India, where rainfall has restored critical water reserves.

"We are closely monitoring inflows, and any surplus water will be released if the rains continue. The increase in storage comes as a major relief after an earlier dry period, when we had to rely on the Kalyani Dam and local borewells," said a senior TTD official. "Thanks to recent rains, the water situation is now comfortable, easing concerns for the upcoming summer months."

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• Officials stunned as major dam reaches maximum levels: 'We are keeping a close watch'