Bengaluru: Although we have entered the third week of June, there are no signs of regular Monsoon. There is a severe lack of rain in 217 Taluks of 31 Districts of Karnataka. If it doesn’t rain this week too, there is a fear of drought, experts opine.
According to the information released by the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre on June 18, 11 districts have received deficient rainfall, while 20 Districts received too low a rainfall. The Report is hopeful of good rains in the next two weeks. In 20 Districts, the rainfall deficit is more than 60 percent. In 11 Districts there is a deficit of 29% to 59%. An average of 100 mm of rain was expected from June 1 onwards. But, so far, 30 mm of rain has fallen. Experts say this is a matter of concern.
Coastal and hilly areas are expected to receive the heaviest rainfall. However, there is very little rain. The effect of lack of rain in both these regions is sure to affect the entire state. The water in the reservoirs is getting drained. Neighbouring Tamil Nadu is adding pressure on the Cauvery river water, putting the state Government in a dilemma.
It is expected that there will be good rain this week. Heavy rainfall, more than 150 mm, is expected in the next one week, especially in the coastal and hilly areas. Then the situation can improve,” says meteorologist Dr. G. S. Srinivasa Reddy.
“Usually in the first three weeks of June, about 400 mm of rain used to fall. This time it has been only 85 mm. This indicates the seriousness of the situation. Since the rains have not started, the sowing activity of the Monsoon season has not been done properly. Sowing work has not started in most of the Districts. In some places 6 to 7 percent is sown, while zero in some districts. It rained in some places on June 18.
Agriculture Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy said that he will verify reports on sowing and lack of rain on June 19 and check the same. There is shortage of drinking water in 3,029 villages of the state. Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has instructed all the ZP CEOs of state to arrange drinking water supply from tankers and private borewells immediately in case of shortage.
He said, “We have given ₹1 Crore each to the Chief Executive Officers and we have realised the local need and suggested that necessary steps should be taken to provide drinking water without waiting for orders from the higher officers.”