Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Thursday that water from major reservoirs will not be released to irrigate crops due to deficit monsoon. Opposition leader R. Ashok urged immediate drought declaration for about 150 affected taluks.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar told presspersons on Thursday that there has been zero inflow into several reservoirs including Tungabhadra, Almatti, Ghataprabha and Vani Vilas. In the Cauvery basin, inflow into Krishnaraja Sagar, Hemavati and Kabini is at 20% of normal compared to last year. He appealed to farmers not to depend on reservoir water and to plan crops based on rainfall.
The government is monitoring the situation and has asked ministers to tour districts. Shivakumar said he will visit regional centres for reviews. The Centre has issued an advisory on water and power availability, affecting hydel power generation.
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok wrote to the Chief Minister expressing concern over intensifying drought in about 150 taluks. He urged declaration of affected taluks as drought-hit, district-level review meetings, a state-wide emergency plan for crops, fodder, drinking water and employment, plus scientific crop loss surveys and interim relief to farmers.
Ashok criticised that most district in-charge ministers have not convened review meetings or visited taluks, and noted the Agriculture Department lacks a full-time minister.
