Drought looms large in Karnataka: 86 taluks in 23 districts affected

Bengaluru, Sept 11: Despite deluge, floods and landslips creating havoc in coastal and Western Ghats districts in Karnataka, larger parts in the state have been affected to scanty rainfall and the Sate government today declared 86 taluks in 23 districts out of 30 as drought hit, Minister for Revenue R V Deshpande said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference after presiding over review of Drought situation in the Cabinet Sub Committee meeting held here, he said this was as per the assessment of the as per revised guidelines of the Central Government after the Karnataka government had provided inputs and the central weather offices made an assessment. 'The government had already assessed the situation and initiated the preliminary measures since last one month as monsoon remained weak over most parts of the districts in the State for last two weeks. 'Today we discussed about immediate steps to be taken in these drought hit Taluks in 16 Districts,' the revenue minister said.

Santy rains had already resulted in the sown crops at young stage being withered and if Northeast rainfall did not arrive soon, farmers in these districts in the state may face huge crop losses in the rain fed areas.