CM Shivakumar Orders Karnataka Drought Survey Amid 60 Percent Rainfall Deficit

Bengaluru — Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday directed state officials to collect comprehensive field data within 15 days to submit a drought report to the Union government, following a severe 60 percent monsoon rainfall deficit across the state.

During a video conference with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers (ZP CEOs), Shivakumar emphasized that the state must prepare for a drought crisis. He warned that statistics would be cross-checked with ground realities and instructed officials to focus on supporting small and extremely small farmers.

The rainfall deficit has affected 178 of the 236 taluks in Karnataka. According to southwest monsoon data, 25 districts are facing a rainfall deficit, while Vijayanagara district is experiencing a large deficit. Only five districts in the state have recorded normal rainfall. Among the affected taluks, 158 received "very ordinary" rainfall, while 20 taluks received no rainfall at all.

To ensure transparency, the Chief Minister ordered strict monitoring of borewell digging. He stated that videos must be recorded whenever new borewells are dug, warning that ZP CEOs would be held directly responsible if fake or bogus borewells are reported.

The water scarcity has significantly impacted the state's resources. Hydroelectricity generation is currently at 23 percent. Out of 3,817 minor irrigation lakes, 3,235 lakes have water levels below 50 percent.

To address the immediate drinking water crisis, the state government has announced Rs 1 crore grants to rural Assembly constituencies. A total of Rs 379 crore has been sanctioned for these arrangements, with the Chief Minister stating there is no shortage of funds.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, Ministers K J George, Ramalinga Reddy, Eshwar Khandre, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh. The drought situation was also discussed during a subsequent Cabinet meeting on Sunday. Shivakumar added that he has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send a central team to assess the state's situation.