NEWS: Karnataka is laying the groundwork to officially declare 102 taluks drought-hit at the upcoming State Cabinet meeting.

ABOUT

The current rainfall deficiency in the State is among the four worst recorded since 1976.

The State has already completed the ground-truthing exercise for the eligible taluks following legislative demands.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The State recorded a cumulative rainfall of only 454 mm between June 1 and August 24 against the normal 654 mm, marking an overall deficit of 31%.
• Region-wise rainfall deficits stand at 41% in South Interior Karnataka, 35% in the Malnad region, 31% in North Interior Karnataka, and 24% in the coastal region.
• Total reservoir storage stood at 679.6 tmcft compared to 790 tmcft during the corresponding period last year.
• Satellite-based weather forecasts indicate that Karnataka will continue to face a rainfall deficit for the remainder of August and September.

KEY FINDINGS

• Agricultural operations have been heavily impacted, with sowing completed on only 60 lakh hectares against the target of 84.10 lakh hectares (achieving just 71% of the targeted area).
• Drinking water is currently being supplied through tankers to 758 villages and 114 urban wards.
• The government has estimated that 2,059 villages could face drinking water shortages next summer if the water situation worsens.
• The State alleged that several parameters in the Centre's 2020 Drought Manual are unfavourable to farmers, prompting an appeal to the Centre to relax norms.