Chitradurga (Karnataka), July 25 — Karnataka is facing an exceptionally severe drought, with nearly 80 per cent of its lakes dried up and reservoir levels falling to critically low levels, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Saturday, while assuring that the government would not allow people to bear the brunt of the crisis.

Parameshwara, along with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, visited Chitradurga district and personally inspected drought-affected areas in Hiriyur taluk on Saturday. He later addressed the Bengaluru Revenue Division-level progress review meeting held at the Anubhava Mantapa Hall of the Murugharajendra Brihanmatha in Chitradurga.

“The first major challenge arising from the severity of the drought could be a shortage of drinking water. The water currently available in reservoirs must not be used for agricultural activities. Strict instructions have been issued to reserve it exclusively for drinking-water needs. All necessary measures must be taken to ensure that the drought does not cause hardship to the people,” he said.

Parameshwara said the Government was fully aware of the severity of the drought across the State. Recognising the seriousness of the situation, the Chief Minister had already reviewed the Belagavi and Kalaburagi divisions.

“As Revenue Minister, I have visited several districts, including Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Tumakuru and Chitradurga, and personally reviewed the situation. I will visit and assess the conditions in other districts as well,” he said.

“The drought situation before us is extremely serious. Although there was some rainfall in June, it was not evenly distributed across all regions. Farmers began sowing, but the State has recorded a rainfall deficit of more than 42 per cent so far. The extent of the deficit varies from district to district, bringing agricultural activities to a halt in several areas,” he said.

He said sowing had been completed on only about 2 per cent of the area in Chikkaballapur district, between 1.5 per cent and 2 per cent in Kolar, and between 3 per cent and 4 per cent in Chitradurga, reaching around 10 per cent in a few areas. Overall, only about 15 per cent of the normal sowing had been completed across the State.

Parameshwara said the rise in the surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean was affecting the formation of rain-bearing clouds. “Data from the past 75 years show that El Nino conditions have occurred 25 times. Normally, sea-surface temperatures increased by 1 to 2 degrees. This time, however, they have risen by two to three degrees. Due to the emergence of a Super El Nino, nearly 50 per cent of the world is experiencing drought-like conditions. It is not only Karnataka; States across the country are facing drought,” he said.

He said temperatures in European countries had risen to between 35 degrees C and 40 degrees C, resulting in around 5,000 deaths in Europe. Around 20,000 people had died across regions covering nearly half the world, demonstrating the severity of the Super El Nino phenomenon. “Several States are experiencing dry weather. Parts of Karnataka’s Malnad and coastal regions have received some rainfall. As Maharashtra has received rain, water is flowing into the Almatti reservoir,” he said.

Parameshwara reiterated that water levels in reservoirs had fallen considerably and nearly 80 per cent of the State’s lakes had dried up.

“The first concern is the possibility of a drinking-water shortage. In the Bengaluru Revenue Division, the rainfall deficit is 28 per cent in Bengaluru Urban, 18 per cent in Bengaluru Rural, 24 per cent in Ramanagara, 36 per cent in Kolar, 28 per cent in Chikkaballapur, 18 per cent in Tumakuru, 28 per cent in Chitradurga, and 48 per cent each in Davangere and Shivamogga. The overall rainfall deficit in the Bengaluru Revenue Division is 37 per cent. Karnataka is facing an exceptionally severe drought this year,” he said.

He said the situation had made it necessary to hire private borewells and supply water through tankers. “The Government has taken every necessary measure. Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned to each district for drinking-water arrangements, and Deputy Commissioners have already begun utilising these funds. We have also announced Rs 1 crore for every Assembly constituency,” he said.

Parameshwara said the State had lakhs of cattle and could face a fodder shortage. Officials had reported that adequate fodder was available for the next 30 to 40 weeks. “The available fodder must be utilised properly; otherwise, we may face serious difficulties. The Animal Husbandry Department has been directed to distribute fodder-seed kits to farmers in areas where water is available, and the kits are being distributed accordingly,” he said.

He said that during previous droughts, fodder had been procured from neighbouring states, while fodder banks and goshalas had also been established. “However, neighbouring states are also facing drought due to inadequate rainfall. Therefore, it is not possible to procure fodder from them this time,” he said.

Reports of migration have emerged from Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Koppal, Ballari and Yadgir districts. “Officials have been directed to take up works under the VB G RAM G Scheme and provide employment to the people. There is no shortage of funds, and no one needs to panic. Works must be started immediately in villages from which people are migrating,” he directed.

Parameshwara said task forces had been constituted in every taluk. Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat CEOs had been instructed to convene district- and taluk-level task force meetings every week. “These meetings will help officials understand the ground situation, assess the actual severity of the drought and prepare action plans to manage it. Drinking-water conditions can change from day to day,” he said.

He said sowing was expected to cover 13.73 lakh hectares in the Bengaluru Revenue Division, but only 1.74 lakh hectares had been sown, amounting to 13 per cent. “The Chief Minister and I have written to the Prime Minister regarding the drought situation. I have also written to the Union Home Minister and the Union Agriculture Minister, explaining the prevailing conditions. The Union Government has prescribed 10 criteria for declaring drought, and we have urged it to relax these norms,” he said.

He added that a drought memorandum could not be submitted to the Union Government before August 15. “If it rains after August, the situation may change. Therefore, the submission of the report to the Union Government may be delayed,” he said.

Ministers Ramalinga Reddy and Eshwar Khandre, the State Government’s Special Representative in Delhi T.B. Jayachandra, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Tushar Giri Nath and others were present at the meeting.

Dharmendra Pradhan's social media post underscores decision as emotive, not under compulsion

Entry gates of all Delhi Metro stations opened as CJP withdraws agitation

‘Major victory for youth’: Akali Dal leader Majithia on Education Minister’s resignation

Venugopal, Vijayan welcome Pradhan's exit, demand sweeping education reforms

Mumbai PMLA court orders restoration of attached properties to legitimate claimants

Fast Track Courts will ensure justice in exam malpractice cases within 3 months: MP CM

Rajya Sabha Chairman welcomes new members, asks them to enrich debate

Proud moment for every Indian: PM Modi hails Sarnath's addition to world heritage map

Bihar Bandh: Police, protesters clash in Patna as shutdown triggers disruptions across state

Karnataka facing exceptionally severe drought, 80 pc of lakes have dried up: Dy CM

After Pradhan’s resignation, Congress asks why Punjab education minister remains despite paper leaks

'Pradhan should've resigned earlier': SP chief Akhilesh Yadav questions Centre's delay

HBA marks World Drowning Prevention Day with petition to Prez Murmu

CJP calls off protest as Centre agrees to demands following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation

J&K: NIA court grants parole to DSP to attend father's post death rituals

Pradhan’s resignation historic victory for students: CM Satheesan

Army steps up flood relief across Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli; 355 evacuated

TN: Stalin urges CM Vijay to drop K’taka visit over Cauvery talks

Centre must apologise to youth after Pradhan’s resignation: Bhupinder Hooda

K'taka BJP chief Vijayendra backs farmers opposing land acquisition for Bengaluru's second airport

'Students & youth have won': Former K'taka CM Siddaramaiah welcomes Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation