The chief minister pointed out that the low reservoir storage, particularly in the Cauvery basin, was a concern as it was likely to affect drinking water availability in Bengaluru.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide an interim relief of Rs 1,852 crore for immediate drought relief measures in 101 taluks.
In a letter to the prime minister, Shivakumar pointed out that due to aggravating drought conditions, the state government had declared 76 taluks, in addition to those 101 mentioned in the previous letter, as drought-affected, in accordance with parameters prescribed under the Manual for Drought Management, 2020.
“I draw your attention to the matter that the South-West Monsoon constitutes the principal rainfall season for Karnataka, and rainfall received during the critical months from June to August is vital not only for sustaining Kharif agriculture but also for replenishment of reservoirs, hydropower generation, fodder availability and groundwater recharge. The substantial rainfall deficit experienced during the current monsoon season has, therefore, had a cascading impact across these sectors.”
The chief minister pointed out that the low reservoir storage, particularly in the Cauvery basin, was a concern as it was likely to affect drinking water availability in Bengaluru and adjoining districts in the coming months.
Shivakumar referred to the usual procedure of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) doing a first-hand assessment of loss and damages in states suffering from drought.
He pointed out that the IMCT’s report would be placed before the sub-committee of the national executive committee, adding that the recommendations of the sub-committee would then be placed before the high-level committee.
