Drought report to Centre in 15 days after comprehensive survey of ground realities, says DKS

Karnataka, which has faced an overall rain deficit of about 68%, will submit a report to the Centre in about 15 days, but only after a comprehensive ground situation survey by the district officials across the State, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Sunday.

“We have asked for a comprehensive field survey in all 178 taluks, of which 158 taluks have received very average rainfall, and 20 taluks have not received rainfall at all. The drought situation in the Vijayanagar district is grim. I have asked for a field survey because I do not believe just reports. They will also videograph the field surveys,” the Chief Minister said in his post-Cabinet briefing.

“We have requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send a Central team for assessment. Last year, we had submitted the report to the Centre in August/September. The teams were sent much later,” he added.

He said that the water storage is about 40% of what was there last year and is sufficient for drinking water needs, and that an average of 40% of the water is available for hydel electricity.

The State Cabinet met here after the Chief Minister reviewed the drought conditions, fodder and water availability with the Deputy Commissioners and the Chief Executive Officers of the zilla panchayats.

He said that in about 3,235 tanks of the total 3,817 tanks under the Minor Irrigation Department, the water storage is less than 50%, and of the 32,504 tanks under zilla panchayats, 27,450 tanks have less than 50% storage. “The drought reports should be based on field visits. When the Central team visits the State, they should be given proper reports,” he said.

Warns against negligence

Earlier, issuing a stern warning to the Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers against slacking or negligence in handling the drought situation, the Chief Minister said that drinking water, fodder for animals, insurance for crop losses, and the sinking of borewells to mitigate water problems in rural areas should be the top priorities.

He asked officials to undertake field visits rather than being dependent on paperwork and data. Farmers should not suffer because of official apathy, he added. “We are not here to see paperwork. All the data and statistics will be cross-checked with the ground reality. So don’t just give numbers without verification.”

He said: “Sowing is at 32%, and except for about six districts (of the total 31 districts in the State), all other districts are facing deficit rainfall. Water levels in reservoirs are staring at dead storage. The priority remains drinking water. Duplicate billing of borewells or raising fresh bills for already sunk borewells will not be tolerated.”

Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said that 75 taluks have experienced dry weather for four consecutive weeks and has directed officials to undertake ground-truthing, which would help the State government take timely and appropriate action.

Migration

Revenue Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara, who expressed concern over migration in several North Karnataka districts, said that works under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Grameen (VB-G RAM G) have started across the State.

According to him, people from Ballari, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir and Vijayanagara districts are migrating in search of work. “Only 20 gram panchayats in the Vijayapura district have started its implementation. Except in four or five districts, work under the scheme has not commenced in most parts of the State. Of the nearly 5,000 gram panchayats, 2,443 of them have not yet started work under the programme.”

Depleting ground water

With an overall 68% rainfall deficit in Karnataka, G. Parameshwara said that groundwater levels have fallen by around 4 metres in 88 taluks. With rainfall remaining far below normal and reservoir levels declining sharply, he warned that the situation could deteriorate further.

The Minister also said that the number of villages dependent on tanker water supply is increasing every day, and legislators have submitted requests for sinking new borewells. He noted that in many places, drinking water is being supplied only once a week and that sinking borewells does not guarantee water availability.