The State of Karnataka is bracing for a severe drought as water inflow into most reservoirs has plummeted to zero. In response to the worsening crisis, the state government has issued a strict advisory urging farmers not to cultivate crops relying on dam water and to refrain from pressuring authorities to release water.
This critical situation was discussed at length during a cabinet meeting held on Thursday. Following the meeting, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar directed all ministers to visit their respective district-in-charge areas to personally assess the ground reality and the impact of the deficient rainfall.
Speaking at a press conference after the cabinet briefing, Shivakumar warned that a brutal drought is anticipated not just in Karnataka but across the entire country this year. He made an earnest appeal to the farming community, stating that since reservoir inflows have practically hit zero, farmers must not risk planting crops under the assumption that canal water will be available.
The Chief Minister emphasized that farmers should not pressure the government for water releases, noting that it is impossible to supply water when the reservoirs themselves are empty. He advised farmers to monitor the weather patterns over the coming days and hold off on major cultivation until the reservoirs fill up, assuring that the government will readily supply water if sufficient rainfall occurs later in the season.
