India
With summer approaching fast, Karnataka might face acute water shortage this year too if proper planning is not done with immediate effect. Six taluks (sub-divisions) of Mandya have been declared drought-hit already.
Mandya: Krishnaraja Sagara Dam (KRS) that is built across the Cauvery river is brimming with water. But the neighbouring district of Mandya in Karnataka is facing drought for the last four years.
The region has received good amount of rainfall this season. But it is said that it rained at the wrong time, leaving the crops withered. In most of the places the seedlings have dried without ample water supply. Apart from KR Pet that is facing acute fodder scarcity, six taluks (sub-divisions) in Mandya have been declared drought-hit by the state government.
As the rainfall was untimely, crops including ragi, jowar, groundnuts, beans, tur dal grown in 28,168 hectares of land have withered. Ragi, grown in 24,394 hectares, maize in 1914 hectares, tur in 101 hectares, beans in 1521 hectares, groundnuts in 197 hectares and other grains grown in 41 hectares of land have not yielded any result.
A report in this regard has been submitted to the state government by the district officials.
Currently, there is little water left in borewells. But as summer as nearing, the problem of water scarcity is imminent. The government should make proper arrangements so that people do not face drinking water scarcity apart from providing water for agricultural purpose.
Every taluk has been allotted Rs 50 lakh as part of the drought relief fund and out of this, Rs 25 lakh has been released with immediate effect. A taskforce has been formed under the leadership of respective MLAs. Farmers in trouble due to drought-related issues can contact gram panchayat officers, who will arrange for release of grants after consulting higher authorities.
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