BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has decided to submit a detailed report on the prevailing drought situation to the Union Government and seek the early release of National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) assistance. Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said that the State Government will urge the Centre to release NDRF funds in advance. “If possible, I will personally meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and explain the ground reality and submit a request,” Dr Parameshwara told reporters on Monday.
Dr Parameshwara, who also holds the revenue portfolio, said that Karnataka is now facing a drought-like situation.
He said necessary directives have already been given to officials to effectively handle the drought, including ensuring drinking water for people and livestock and addressing fodder-related concerns.
“I have already held progress review meetings in Belagavi, Chitradurga, and Tumakuru districts and discussed the situation. Since reservoirs have reached dead storage levels, water must be used carefully. Strict instructions have been given to officials to ensure that the available water is used only for drinking purposes,” he added. Further, Dr Parameshwara said that some parts of the state received rain on Sunday. “If it continues to rain for a couple of more days, reservoirs may fill up to some extent. Since it is raining in the Malnad region, there is inflow into the KRS. If reservoirs receive even a certain level of water, people will not face drinking water problems,” he said.
The Deputy CM said fodder kits are already being distributed to ensure that livestock do not face a fodder shortage. “If seeds are provided to those who have borewells, they will grow fodder. I have instructed the Chief Executive Officers and Deputy Commissioners of districts to set up fodder banks and ghosalas wherever required,” he added.
CLOUD SEEDING EXERCISE FUNDED BY SIX MLAS BEGINS IN HAVERI
Hubballi: In the wake of a drought-like situation in Haveri district, all six Congress MLAs elected from the district have come forward to mitigate the situation by funding a cloud-seeding exercise. The exercise is likely to continue for the next 2-3 days based on inputs from experts. On Monday, Public Works and Haveri district in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi flagged off the cloud seeding aircraft from Hubballi airport. Congress MLA from Ranebennur, Prakash Koliwad, said that the exercise will be conducted for three days and will cover all the taluks in Haveri district.
Stating that a cloud-seeding aircraft will remain stationed in Hubballi throughout July, he said the exercise will continue for more days based on expert inputs. The MLA said the cost of the operation is approximately Rs 15 lakh per hour. On Monday, cloud seeding was conducted in Haveri, Hangal, Savanur, and Ranebennur taluks. However, it was not carried out in Hirekerur, Byadgi, Shiggaon, and Rattihalli taluks owing to insufficient cloud density to induce rain. Later, speaking to the media, Satish Jarkiholi hailed this initiative of the MLAs from Haveri.
Pointing out to below-normal rainfall in several districts of North Karnataka, he said Chief Minister DK Shivakumar would be requested to extend cloud seeding operations to other districts in the region. Former minister HK Patil urged the government to respond quickly to the rainfall shortage by expanding cloud seeding efforts. MLAs NH Konaraddi, Rudrappa Lamani, and Yasir Khan Pathan, MLC FH Jakkappanavar, and others were present on the occasion.