CHITRADURGA: Vani Vilas Sagar, the oldest dam in the state, is nearing its full capacity of 130 feet with heavy rain and influx of water from the Upper Bhadra project. On Saturday, water level in Vani Vilas Sagar rose to 129.40 feet.
This is the sixth time since its construction in 1907, the dam is nearing its full capacity. Abundant rainfall and water discharge from the Bhadra reservoir has brought hope to farmers and locals after the previous year’s water shortage.
Previously the dam had overflowed in 1933. Unlike the previous instance when water flowed through waste weir due to heavy inflow (approximately 2917.00 cusecs), the current filling is a result of water being pumped from the Bhadra reservoir at 700 cusecs as well as heavy rain lashing Chitradurga district.
The dam supports irrigation in over one lakh hectares in Hiriyur taluk through its canals and provides drinking water to Hiriyur, Hosadurga, Chitradurga, and Challakere taluks.
Vani Vilas Sagar dam authorities say that while the dam’s full reservoir level (FRL) is 130 feet, measurements can reach up to 135 feet. The dam had surpassed 120 feet multiple times, including 1932, 1933, 1934, 1956, 1957, 1958, 2000, 2021 and 2022, 2024 and now. The dam faced dead storage in 2017 due to severe drought. Now, locals anticipate overflow possibilities with heightened expectations.
“The people of Chitradurga depend on VV Sagar because there are no other water sources in our district. Abundant water in the dam will help agriculture as well as domestic use. Farmers who depend on VV Sagar reservoir should utilise the water properly,” said Echaghatta Siddaveerappa, a farmer leader.
The construction of the dam was started in 1897 by then Mysore Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. At present, water from the Upper Bhadra Project is flowing through the Vedavathi river from Kukkesamudra Tank of Kadur taluk in Chikkamagaluru district.
