The Karnataka Cabinet will meet on July 19 to discuss the drought situation

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday to discuss the drought situation in Karnataka and measures to be taken to manage it. This will be preceded in the morning by a video conference with deputy commissioners, zilla panchayat CEOs and officials on the emerging drought situation.

Addressing reporters here on Saturday after his arrival from New Delhi, he said the government will reserve the water stored in the reservoirs exclusively for drinking purposes for the time being, while any release for irrigation will depend on the stock level. He also said Karnataka was facing pressure from neighboring states, especially Tamil Nadu, to release Cauvery water.

Migration news

The Chief Minister said that the Cabinet will assess the situation based on the reports received from the districts and decide on relief measures. “We have also received information about people migrating from some areas due to drought. We will discuss the situation and decide on the measures to be taken,” he added.

When asked if the Center had responded to his letter seeking help, the Chief Minister said that there had been no response yet. “We do not expect an immediate response after sending the letter. We have to provide detailed factual information. We have the necessary data, including rainfall data from different parts of the state,” he said.

Mr Shivakumar recently wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Center to appoint an inter-ministerial team to assess the emerging drought situation. In the letter, he cited a 30% rainfall deficit, delayed monsoon, declining reservoir levels and adverse impact on agriculture and drinking water. He said the state had already initiated mitigation measures but sought an early central assessment to strengthen its response.

Demand from farmers

Mr. Shivakumar reiterated the government’s stand on water management and appealed to farmers not to sow crops in anticipation of irrigation.

“Whether it is farmers in Mandya or elsewhere, the water being released now is for drinking purposes only. Water for irrigation will be considered depending on the storage levels in the reservoirs. Farmers should not put pressure on the government by sowing crops expecting water for irrigation,” he said.

He added that Karnataka was also facing demands from Tamil Nadu to release the Cauvery and from downstream users of the Tungabhadra River, but assured farmers that irrigation water would be released once there were sufficient inflows into the reservoirs.

Pressure from TN

On reports that political parties in Tamil Nadu are planning to raise the Cauvery issue during the upcoming Parliament session, Mr. Shivakumar said that members of Parliament from Karnataka will also present the state’s stand. “Let them highlight the issue. We will also present our facts to Parliament. I will go to Delhi and ask our MPs to present Karnataka’s case,” he said.

Reiterating Karnataka’s stand on the Cauvery dispute, the chief minister said the state was taking up the matter with the relevant authorities. He also claimed that the proposed Mekedatu Reservoir Project would benefit both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu by augmenting drinking water supply and regulating river flows.

Published – 18 Jul 2026 20:18 IST