Bengaluru, July 14 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention and central assistance in view of the emerging drought situation in the State, citing a significant monsoon deficit, low reservoir levels, and mounting pressure on agriculture and drinking water supplies.

In a letter to the PM, the Chief Minister stated that Karnataka has received only 203 mm of rainfall against the normal 292 mm during the ongoing South-West Monsoon season, registering a deficit of nearly 30 per cent as of July 11.

Shivakumar noted that the rainfall shortage has affected large parts of the State, with 18 of Karnataka’s 31 districts recording deficit to large-deficit rainfall. At the taluk level, 141 of the State’s 240 taluks have reported deficient rainfall.

Among the four meteorological regions, the Malnad region has been the worst affected with a 34 per cent deficit, followed by Coastal Karnataka (30 per cent), North Interior Karnataka (24 per cent) and South Interior Karnataka (18 per cent), he stated.

The Chief Minister said the delayed onset of the monsoon and prolonged dry spells have severely impacted agricultural activities. Kharif sowing has covered only 28.36 lakh hectares, accounting for just 34 per cent of the seasonal target of 84.10 lakh hectares.

Highlighting the worsening water situation, Shivakumar informed the Prime Minister that the combined storage in Karnataka’s 14 major reservoirs stood at 303 TMC as of July 10—only 34 per cent of their total gross storage capacity of 895.65 TMC.

“The prolonged dry spell has adversely affected standing crops and significantly constrained the progress of Kharif sowing across the State,” the Chief Minister stated in his letter, adding that any decline in Karnataka’s pulse production, particularly tur (pigeon pea), could have wider implications for national availability and prices.

The State government, he said, has already initiated drought mitigation measures, including issuing crop advisories and district-specific contingency plans, while prioritising reservoir storage for drinking water.

Taking to X, Shivakumar said he had requested the Centre to depute a Central team to assess the situation on the ground and provide timely assistance. “We stand firmly with every farmer and every family affected during this challenging time,” he said.

–IANS

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