State did not receive adequate rainfall: Dy CM

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said that barring the Malnad and coastal districts, most parts of the state have not received adequate rainfall, and the situation in the dry and semi-arid regions remains serious.

He said the government will undertake a comprehensive review of the drought situation, and certain measures have already been initiated.

The issue is also likely to be discussed in the Legislature during the monsoon session starting from August 13.

“The Chief Minister and I have already reviewed three divisions of the state.

We have reviewed the situation in each taluk. I have personally visited and inspected four to five districts.

I have also reviewed the situation in Tumakuru district. However, severe drought conditions continue to prevail in a few taluks, including Sira, Chikkanayakanahalli and Pavagada. I will visit these places today and August 11 and conduct a first-hand assessment,” Parameshwara, who is also the Revenue Minister, said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, barring the Malnad and coastal districts, most parts of the state have not received adequate rainfall other than sporadic rains. Noting that water levels in the KRS and Kabini reservoirs have improved marginally due to rains in the Malnad region, the Deputy CM said, due to rainfall in parts of Maharashtra, the Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs in North Karnataka have also received some inflows.

“However, the situation in the dry and semi-arid regions remains serious. There is a problem with drinking water. Therefore, we will undertake a comprehensive review of the drought situation.

Certain measures have already been initiated, and the issue is also likely to be discussed in the Legislature,” he added.