Bengaluru: Karnataka is facing a worsening drought-like situation, with 178 taluks reporting deficient rainfall, including 20 that have received almost no rain, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said after reviewing the state’s water situation with ministers and officials at Vidhana Soudha.
Shivakumar said reservoirs across the state are currently at only 40% of their storage capacity and the available water will be reserved primarily for drinking purposes. A decision on releasing water for other needs will be taken only after inflows improve.
He said hydropower generation has dropped to 23%, while water levels remain below 50% in 3,235 of the state’s 3,817 minor irrigation tanks and 27,450 of the 32,504 gram panchayat tanks. Vijayanagar district is among the worst-affected regions.
To tackle the drinking water crisis, the state government has sanctioned ₹1 crore for each Assembly constituency for rural water supply works, with ₹379 crore already released.
Shivakumar said a detailed drought report will be submitted to the Centre within 15 days and that the Prime Minister has been requested to depute a central team to assess the situation.
The Deputy CM also directed officials to ensure transparency in fodder distribution, fertiliser supply, borewell works and the settlement of crop insurance claims as the state prepares for a possible drought.
