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This is an archive article published on September 4, 2023

Karnataka to conduct surveys to assess situation as drought stares at 196 of 236 taluks

The state received just a quarter of the normal rainfall in August, resulting in crop losses and soaring temperatures.

Karnataka taluk droughtWhile normal rainfall from June to September 4 was 711 mm, Karnataka received only 526 mm rain, a 26 per cent deficit. In June, the state received 56 per cent rainfall, preceded by a period of heavy rainfall in May. (PTI Photo)
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Karnataka to conduct surveys to assess situation as drought stares at 196 of 236 taluks
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The Karnataka government will conduct joint surveys in 134 taluks of the state and to identify the drought-hit ones among them, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said Monday. The assessment comes in the wake of the shortage in rainfall during the current monsoon season.

Based on the conditions on August 19, 62 of 113 taluks that received below-normal rainfall qualified to be declared drought-hit. However, after a joint survey, there are reports that the crop situation has worsened in the 51 remaining taluks. A joint survey will be conducted to assess the crop situation, Gowda said.

As weak monsoon conditions persisted in the state, 83 more taluks were facing drought conditions as on September 2. Deputy commissioners of various districts are directed to complete the “ground truthing” exercise in these taluks also to declare drought, he said.

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This meant that drought assessment was being carried out in 196 of the 236 taluks in the state. Owing to weak monsoons, Karnataka received just a quarter of the normal rainfall in August, resulting in crop losses across the state apart from soaring temperatures.

While normal rainfall from June to September 4 was 711 mm, Karnataka received only 526 mm rain, a 26 per cent deficit. In June, the state received 56 per cent rainfall, preceded by a period of heavy rainfall in May.

Gowda said the cabinet would decide on declaring drought in the taluks on the basis of reports to be received from the districts.

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