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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Abhigyan Kundu hits 209 not out for first-ever double ton in Youth ODIs for India
Dubai (PTI): Wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu on Tuesday created history with first-ever double ton in Youth ODIs for India, scoring an unbeaten against Malaysia in the U-19 Asia Cup match here.
The 17-year-old Kundu thus recorded only the second instance of a double century in Youth ODIs after South Africa's Jorich Van Schalkwyk, who had scored 215 off 153 balls against Zimbabwe earlier this year in Harare.
Batting at No 5, the left-handed Kundu hit an overall 19 fours and seven sixes to smash 209 not out off only 125 balls.
His knock powered India U-19 to a huge 408 for seven batting first.
Earlier in the same tournament, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had scored a 95-ball 171 against the UAE, which is overall the ninth highest individual score in the format.
