Karnataka could face a severe shortage of drinking water and electricity as drought conditions worsen across the state, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar warned on Monday, citing falling groundwater levels, crop damage and persistently deficient rainfall.
More than 200 of Karnataka’s 239 taluks are reeling under drought, Shivakumar said during a visit to his home constituency of Kanakapura. The state has formally declared 101 taluks drought-hit, while another 25 may be added to the list based on Union government norms.
The warning has implications for both rural and urban water systems because declining groundwater and stressed surface water sources can tighten supplies for households, farms and industries. Shivakumar said groundwater levels had fallen sharply and that extensive crop damage had been reported across the state.
Karnataka received only 10 mm of rain so far in September, against a normal 51 mm, according to data from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre. The 81% rainfall deficit came after deficient rainfall in every month since June, worsening the pressure on reservoirs and local water sources.
The drought is also affecting electricity generation. Power demand crossed 19,000 megawatts during peak hours last week, while falling water levels have squeezed hydropower availability. The state had to purchase electricity at around Rs 13 per unit during evening peak hours, Shivakumar said.
The government is examining higher thermal power generation and the possibility of drawing electricity from coal-producing states through the One Nation, One Grid system. Shivakumar said this option would involve transmission costs and directed Energy Minister KJ George to discuss the issue with neighbouring states.
The state legislature’s special session from September 21 to 23 will devote two days to the drought and its impact on farmers. Legislators will be allowed to raise constituency-specific concerns. The session will also discuss implementation of the Kasturirangan report, which recommends declaring 37% of the Western Ghats, covering around 60,000 sq km, as an ecologically sensitive area with restrictions on mining, quarrying and thermal power plants.
The chief minister also announced that the state cabinet would hold its first meeting in the coastal region, at Dakshina Kannada, on September 18. Further decisions on drought relief, electricity procurement and the expansion of the drought-hit list are expected through the government and the special legislature session.
