Center reports drought within 15 days after comprehensive survey of ground reality, says DKS

Karnataka, which faced an overall rainfall deficit of about 68%, will submit a report to the Center in about 15 days, but only after a comprehensive survey of the ground situation by district officials across the state, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Sunday.

“We have asked for a comprehensive field survey in all 178 taluks, out of which 158 taluks have received very average rainfall and 20 taluks have not received any rainfall at all. The drought situation in Vijayanagar district is grim. I have asked for a field survey because I don’t trust his reports alone. They will also shoot short Chief-C field surveys.

“We have asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send a central team for assessment. Last year we gave the report to the center in August/September. The teams were sent much later,” he added.

He said that the water reserves are about 40% of what they were there last year and are sufficient for drinking water needs and that an average of 40% of the water is available for hydel.

The state cabinet met here after the chief minister reviewed drought conditions, availability of fodder and water with deputy commissioners and CEOs of zilla panchayats.

He said that in about 3,235 tanks out of total 3,817 tanks under minor irrigation department, the water supply is less than 50% and out of 32,504 tanks under zilla panchayats, 27,450 tanks have less than 50%. “Drought reports should be based on field visits. When the central team visits the state, they should get proper reports,” he said.

It warns against carelessness

Earlier, while strongly warning deputy commissioners and CEOs against delay or negligence in dealing with the drought situation, the chief minister said the top priorities should be drinking water, animal fodder, crop loss insurance and sinking of borewells to alleviate water problems in rural areas.

He asked officials to undertake field visits rather than depending on paperwork and data. Farmers should not suffer due to official apathy, he added. “We are not here to see the paperwork. All data and statistics will be compared to the real world. So don’t just put numbers without verification.”

He said, “Sowing is at 32% and except about six districts (out of total 31 districts in the state) all other districts are facing deficit rainfall. Reservoir water levels are looking at dead stock. Drinking water remains priority. Duplicate billing of wells or raising of new bills for wells already sunk will not be tolerated.”

Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said 75 taluks have experienced dry weather for four consecutive weeks and directed officials to conduct a ground truth, which would help the state government take timely and appropriate action.

Migration

Expressing concern over migration in several districts of North Karnataka, Revenue Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara said work under Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Grameen (VB-G RAM G) has started across the state.

According to him, people from Ballari, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir and Vijayanagara areas are migrating for work. “Only 20 gram panchayats in Vijayapura district have started their implementation. Apart from four or five districts, work under the scheme has not started in most parts of the state. Out of nearly 5,000 gram panchayats, 2,443 of them are yet to start work under the scheme.”

Groundwater depletion

With an overall 68% rainfall deficit in Karnataka, G. Parameshwara said the water table has dropped by about 4 meters in 88 taluks. With rainfall remaining well below normal and reservoir levels plummeting, he warned the situation could worsen further.

The minister also said that the number of villages dependent on water supply from tankers is increasing day by day and the legislators have given requests to sink new boreholes. He noted that in many places drinking water is supplied only once a week and that sinking wells does not guarantee water availability.

Published – 19 Jul 2026 21:41 IST