With the southwest monsoon continuing to play truant and south interior Karnataka receiving 44% below average rainfall for the period of June to July, the storage in minor tanks in Mysuru district continues to be as precarious as in the reservoirs.
Hence, the district — mainly most parts of south-interior Karnataka — is staring at a third consecutive year of drought. None of the 50 minor tanks in the district have attained even 50% of their storage capacity. Only 26% of the tanks have storage of 30% to 50% of their actual capacity, according to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).
As on July 15, 2017, 74% of these minor tanks were dry. Hence, agricultural activity has taken a beating in the district with crops withering as a result of inadequate moisture. The rainfall pattern as recorded by the KSNDMC indicates that 23 of the 33 hoblis in Mysuru district are in the throes of deficit rains ranging from 59% below normal to 20% below normal while eight hoblis have recorded scanty rains which is 99% below normal to 60% below normal.
There is no hobli or taluk in the district which has received excess rainfall during the current season and only two hoblis have reported normal rainfall.
The depleting water level in the tanks is a matter of concern as almost 60 to 70% of the agricultural activity in Mysuru district takes place under rain-fed conditions.
The authorities had a target of bringing 3,88,220 hectares under sowing for the kharif season this year. While the pre-monsoon rain during May triggered a fresh burst of agricultural activity, the failure of rains in the actual monsoon season has resulted in stunted growth owing to lack of moisture.
Mysuru district has received 51% below average rainfall during the period of June 1st to July 30th. As against a normal of 210 mm, it received only 103 mm of rainfall. Mandya has received 42 mm of rainfall against a normal of 105 mm which is 61% below normal. Chamarajanagar has received 44 mm of rainfall against a normal of 107 mm and has registered 59% below normal rainfall.
