Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has called an emergency Cabinet meeting on Sunday to review the worsening drought situation and the looming water crisis following deficient rainfall across the state.
Before the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister will hold a review with all Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers to assess the ground situation, preparedness, and immediate drought mitigation measures.
Appealing to farmers, Shivakumar urged them not to take up sowing this season, stating that the available water in reservoirs is being conserved exclusively for drinking purposes. He also said Karnataka is under pressure to manage water releases from the Cauvery and Tungabhadra reservoirs in line with interstate water-sharing obligations.
The Chief Minister further said that the Union Government has not yet responded to his letter seeking a central drought assessment team. He added that he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi again, requesting the Centre to depute a team to assess the drought situation in Karnataka.
Karnataka, D.K. Shivakumar, Drought, Water Crisis, Farmers, Rainfall Deficit, Emergency Cabinet Meeting, Cauvery, Tungabhadra, Agriculture, Reservoirs, PM Narendra Modi, Central Government, Disaster Management, India News