K'taka Dy CM Parameshwara asks officials to prepare for possible 'super' El Nino-induced drought
Bengaluru, June 26
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara has directed government officials to take proactive measures and strengthen inter-departmental coordination to effectively tackle any potential drought situation arising from the anticipated impact of a Super El Nino weather phenomenon.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on disaster management at the Vidhana Soudha, Parameshwara on Thursday reviewed the preparedness measures already undertaken by various departments and held detailed discussions on rainfall deficiency, drinking water availability, fodder supply for livestock and other drought-related concerns.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that global climate variations linked to a possible Super El Nino could significantly affect rainfall patterns across the state, leading to water scarcity and drought conditions in several regions.
He stressed the need for advance planning to minimise the impact on people and agriculture.
Parameshwara instructed officials to prepare district-wise action plans focusing on drinking water supply, fodder availability for livestock, agricultural management and water conservation measures.
He also directed that all Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats be issued necessary guidelines to ensure preparedness at the district level.
He emphasised the importance of continuously monitoring reservoir storage levels, groundwater conditions and water consumption patterns to enable timely intervention wherever required.
"The government must be fully prepared to respond to any natural disaster or drought situation. All concerned departments should work in close coordination and take swift action to ensure that the public does not face hardship," he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also directed officials to expedite permissions for drilling borewells to meet drinking water requirements.
He said there should be no delays in granting approvals and instructed departments to work closely with the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department to address local needs effectively.
During the meeting, officials briefed Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara on the prevailing water situation across the state.
According to the data presented, 122 taluks are currently facing drinking water shortages.
Water is being supplied through tankers to 139 villages, while 789 private borewells have been hired to augment supply. In addition, drinking water is being provided from private borewells in 669 villages.
Officials told the meeting that efforts were underway to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply and mitigate the impact of any worsening drought conditions in the coming months.
Senior IAS officials, including Manoj Kumar Meena and Mullai Muhilan, were present at the meeting.
— IANS
Reader Comments
'Super El Nino' sounds scary - like something straight out of a sci-fi movie! 😅 But honestly, we've been hearing about drought preparedness every year since 2016. What about tackling the root cause? Our farmers need crop insurance that actually works, and we need to stop using so much water for cash crops like sugarcane in water-scarce regions. Just saying...
I moved to Bengaluru from the US for work, and I'm always amazed at how India deals with water scarcity. The idea of water tankers supplying 139 villages is mind-boggling to me. But it also makes me wonder - why isn't there more investment in rainwater harvesting? Every rooftop in Bengaluru could capture thousands of liters. Great to see the government being proactive though!
Sir, with due respect, was this meeting scheduled just before the Assembly session? The 122 taluks facing shortage is alarming, but what happened to the million rupees allocated for drought relief last year? We need accountability, not just meetings. Our farmers in Hassan are already struggling - hope the Super El Nino doesn't make things worse. 🙏
As someone from coastal Karnataka, I can tell you that even we in Udupi felt the impact of reduced rainfall last year. But here's a suggestion - instead of drilling more borewells (which is just extracting groundwater faster), why not promote traditional water harvesting structures like stepwells and kattas? Our ancestors knew what they were doing! 😊
N We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.