Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has warned that the state could face shortages of drinking water and electricity as rainfall declines, urging residents to be prepared while the government assesses the emerging drought situation and works on measures to maintain water supplies.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Shivakumar said rainfall had declined significantly across the state. He said the government was preparing a detailed drought report and that the assessment needed to be accurate before the Centre undertakes its evaluation.
“Rainfall is declining too much. But I am requesting there is no need for MLAs to be anxious. There is no point in holding protests for political purposes. The government is more concerned than you,” Shivakumar said, according to the report. He also accused some political parties of attempting to use the situation for political purposes.
The deputy chief minister said studies had been completed in some areas, while reports from the remaining areas were still being prepared. The Meteorological Department had forecast rainfall for a week, but Shivakumar said only some areas received limited rain and that the rainfall was below expectations.
The warning covers both water and power availability. Shivakumar said Karnataka was facing a drought situation along with electricity-related problems, while arrangements were being made to ensure adequate drinking-water supply. The statement places pressure on the state administration to coordinate drought assessment, water distribution and electricity management as conditions develop.
The state government has already declared 101 taluks drought-hit in the first phase. More taluks could be added to the list after the ongoing assessment is completed. The number of affected taluks will be central to the state’s formal drought submission and to any subsequent evaluation by the Centre.
Shivakumar said a special session of the state legislature had been convened to discuss the situation, including farmers’ issues. A cabinet meeting is also scheduled in Mangaluru this week, after which the government is expected to make further announcements following discussions with farmers.
For cities and towns, the immediate administrative challenge is maintaining drinking-water supply while the state evaluates the scale and spread of the drought. The government has not provided, in the reported remarks, a detailed schedule of possible restrictions, supply measures or power-management steps. Further action will depend on the reports being prepared for the remaining areas and the decisions taken at the legislature and cabinet meetings.
