Tumakuru declared drought-stricken amid significant rainfall deficit

All taluks in the Tumakuru district of Karnataka have been declared drought-stricken following a 47 percent deficit in rainfall during the southwest monsoon season. Between June and September, the district received only 183 mm of rain compared to the normal 347 mm, with September alone seeing a 77 percent decrease.

To address the water crisis, the government has released 15 crore rupees for drinking water supply and related infrastructure. This funding supports approximately 310 projects in the first phase, including the digging of new borewells and the installation of pipelines. Additionally, 1 crore rupees has been allocated to each assembly constituency to facilitate roughly 390 works, such as re-digging 21 previously halted borewells.

Deputy Commissioner Shubha Kalyan reported that 4.2 TMC of water has been released from the Hemavathi Reservoir in Gorur for drinking purposes. While 70 percent of the area has seen sowing, the lack of rain has negatively impacted ragi cultivation. A central government team is expected to visit the district in early October to assess the situation.