Maneru check dam near Odela blown up overnight
TELANGANA: A check dam built across the Maneru river between Gumpula and Tanugula villages in Odela mandal was blown up late on Friday night by unidentified persons.
Authorities said the structure, built three years ago at a cost of ₹25 crore and spanning 787 metres, suffered extensive damage. The attackers allegedly planted gelatin sticks and triggered a controlled blast, causing nearly 90 metres of the dam to cave in. The platform was torn apart and mangled debris was found downstream.
Officials suspect sand mafia behind targeted blast
Initial assessment suggests the group first tried to manually break the check dam wall and resorted to explosives when that failed. Officials believe around ten people may have taken part in the operation. The irrigation department has estimated losses at about ₹3 crore.
Ravi, the department’s divisional engineer, filed a complaint with Jammikunta police.
Three-crore loss reported; farmers fear severe crop impact
Officials and locals suspect the check dam was targeted because it was obstructing illegal sand excavation. With the structure destroyed, water flowed downstream, leaving the reservoir dry. Farmers from Gumpula, Tanugula, Shambunipalle, Pochampalli and Indurthi said about 3,000 acres of ayacut are now at risk.
“This region is preparing for the Yasangi season. Seedbeds were to be raised in a few days, but the check dam has no water. This season’s crop may be lost,” said Uppula Sampath, former sarpanch of Gumpula.
Police teams comb area for clues after explosion
Manthani irrigation executive engineer Balaram inspected the spot on Saturday. Bomb squad, dog squad and fingerprint teams reached the site and launched an investigation. Police are examining all possible motives and collecting evidence from the blast location.
“This is clearly the work of the sand mafia. We built 16 check dams across the Maneru and only this one has been targeted,” Balaram said.
