South parched: Karnataka set to join Kerala, TN in drought club
- As many as 160 out of 176 taluks in the state have been declared drought affected.
- Water levels at four major reservoirs are at less than 20% of their capacity.
- Demonetisation-related losses have added to farmers’ woes.
FollowDays after the Tamil Nadu (TN) Government declared all 32 districts in the state as affected, Karnataka seems headed the same way as 160 out of its 176 taluks are now drought affected.
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According to the Deccan Herald, only one of Karnataka’s 30 districts — Bidar — has seen excess rainfall in 2016. On January 12, the four major reservoirs in Karnataka — KRS, Harangi, Kabini and Hemavathi — had 15.44 tmcft of water, far less than their total capacity of 104.55 tmcft. Meteorologists told the Deccan Herald that Karnataka saw a rainfall deficit of 28% in 2016, with the rains being the worst in 45 years.
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The Hindu recently reported that the Karnataka Agriculture Price Commission (KAPC) has estimated the extent of crop losses suffered by farmers in 2016 at ₹17,369 crore. The farmers’ distress has been aggravated by the low prices caused by the effects of demonetisation across the country. KAPC officials told that they expect the prices of crops such as maize and groundnut will fall.
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The lack of insurance coverage has also left the agriculture sector vulnerable to natural and manmade shocks — only 32% of farmland in drought-affected areas has insurance coverage. Further, the severe drought conditions across South India also bring the spotlight on poor utilisation of existing resources: more than 4 tmcft of water of the 15.44 tmcft in Karnataka is lost to seepage and other factors.
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The severe drought situation in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is likely to complicate the water dispute as the river is a source of drinking water in Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh on January 12 announced that it would release only 2.5 tmcft of water from the River Krishna to Tamil Nadu, asking TN to obtain more water from Telangana.
