While all regions of Karnataka received less than normal rainfall in 2016, the Malnad region comprising four districts has recorded the highest percentage of departure of rainfall from normal.
Some villages located close to the Western Ghats in Hassan and Chikkamagaluru districts, which always receive heavy rainfall, are also facing drinking water crisis. Locals and representatives are now fighting for a drought-hit tag for these places.
The Malnad region consists of Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, and Shivamogga districts.
As per statistics obtained from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, up to December 26 last year, the Malnad region registered -35 per cent departure of rainfall from normal. This was -31 p.c. in the case of the south interior, -24 p.c. in north interior and -24 p.c. in coastal areas.
Even during the southwest monsoon (between June and September) the Malnad region received 29 p.c. less-than-normal rain. In the case of other areas, the departure was -13 p.c., -6 p.c. and -21 p.c., respectively.
In Hassan district, among other taluks, Alur, known for coffee plantations, has been declared drought hit. Similarly, in Chikkamagaluru district, Mudigere and N.R. Pura taluks are also drought-hit.
Alur-Sakleshpur MLA H.K. Kumaraswamy has demanded that the State government declare Sakleshpur also as drought-hit taluk. “We are finding it very difficult to provide drinking water to the public in many villages of Sakleshpur taluk. If the taluk is declared drought-hit, we can get funds to supply water through tankers,” he said, at a meeting to review the drought situation in Hassan recently.
Tough times
The situation is already bad in parts of Arsikere, Belur, Hassan, Channarayapatna of Hassan, and Kadur and Chikkamagaluru taluks in the neighbouring districts. The taluk panchayats concerned are supplying water through tankers. The demand for the supply of water through tanks has gone up, increasing the dependence on borewells.
R.Ragapriya, Chief Executive Officer of Chikkamagaluru Zilla Panchayat, during a meeting on December 23, said the district administration had decided to procure 50 tonnes of fodder for cattle in advance to meet the requirement in the coming days. “Fodder banks will be opened and transportation of fodder to other districts will be stopped”, she said. Similarly, in Hassan the district administration is making efforts to purchase fodder from neighbouring districts.
