Karnataka CM seeks Centre’s aid to assess, control drought situation

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dispatch a central assessment team to the state, which is facing an "emerging drought." As of July 11, Karnataka has received only 203 mm of rainfall, a significant deficit against the normal 292 mm.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Shivakumar highlighted the erratic southwest monsoon, which entered the state on June 5 but took 17 days to spread, causing an extended break in rainfall. This has led to substantial rainfall deficits across various regions, with the Malnad region experiencing a 34% deficit, the coastal region 30%, North Interior Karnataka 24%, and South Interior Karnataka 18%. Consequently, 18 out of 31 districts and 141 out of 240 taluks have reported deficit rainfall.

The chief minister expressed concern over the India Meteorological Department's forecast of below-normal rainfall for July, a crucial month for the state's monsoon. This situation has severely impacted Kharif sowing, with only 28.36 lakh hectares covered, a mere 34% of the seasonal target. Shivakumar warned that a significant decline in crop production could affect the national supply and prices of pulses, particularly tur.

Adding to the crisis, water reserves in Karnataka's 14 major reservoirs are critically low, standing at just 303 TMC, which is only 34% of their total gross storage capacity of 895.65 TMC. Shivakumar emphasized that a central team's visit would provide a "first-hand appreciation of the severity" of the drought and reassure the farming community of the central government's support.

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Such a visit would provide a first-hand appreciation of the severity of the emerging drought conditions and reassure the farming community that the Government of India stands with them in this difficult period.