Karnataka Leaders Urge Modi to Intervene in Escalating Drought

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara have petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for urgent federal intervention to combat an escalating drought in Karnataka. Shivakumar requested the deployment of a central study team to assess the situation after the state recorded a 30 percent rainfall deficit as of July 11, receiving only 203 mm against a normal of 292 mm. The India Meteorological Department attributed this shortage to El Nino, which has impacted 18 of 31 districts, most severely in the Malnad region.

The drought has left 14 major reservoirs at only 34 percent capacity and limited Kharif sowing to 34 percent of the seasonal target. Shivakumar warned that a drop in pulse production, particularly tur dal, could trigger national price increases. In response, the state government has prioritized reservoir water for drinking and issued district-wise contingency plans.

On July 15, G. Parameshwara expanded the request, urging the Union Government to declare the drought a "calamity of national significance" and relax National Disaster Response Fund norms. Parameshwara reported a 42 percent rainfall deficit in June and 34 percent in July, leading to estimated crop losses of 80 percent in several areas. He specifically requested that the federal government use the state's FRUITS database to identify eligible farmers for aid rather than the 2015-16 Agriculture Census.