Vani Vilas Sagar dam nears full capacity, raises hopes for farmers after heavy rain
Chitradurga: Vani Vilas Sagar, the oldest dam in the state, is nearing its full capacity of 130 feet following continuous heavy rainfall and water inflow from the Upper Bhadra Project. As of Saturday, the water level stood at 129.4 feet, raising hopes among farmers and locals after the previous year’s water shortage.
This marks only the sixth time since its construction in 1907 that the dam has reached such levels, as reported by The New Indian Express on Sunday. The last time the dam overflowed was in 1933, largely due to heavy inflow. This time, the rising water level is the result of both heavy rainfall in Chitradurga and a steady 700 cusecs of water being pumped from the Bhadra reservoir.
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.
Historically, the dam has crossed 120 feet multiple times — in 1932, 1933, 1934, 1956, 1957, 1958, 2000, 2021, 2022, and 2024 — but it has rarely come so close to full capacity. While the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) is officially 130 feet, authorities say it can hold water up to 135 feet.
The recent surge in water levels is a significant boost for the region, especially considering the dam had hit dead storage levels during the severe drought in 2017.
“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,” TNIE quoted Echaghatta Siddaveerappa, a farmer leader, as saying.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
