Karnataka drought: Central team to submit report next week

State govt has sought Rs 1,400 crore relief from the Centre to tide over drought in 12 districts in north Karnataka due to deficient north west monsoon

A central team has inspected the drought situation in north Karnataka and will submit its report next week, based on which the Centre will decide if Rs 1,400 crore as demanded by the state should be sanctioned.

"The central team has visited drought-hit areas in north interior Karnataka. It is preparing the report and will submit the final report next week," a senior Agriculture Ministry said.

The state, which is facing back-to-back drought for two years, has declared drought in 12 districts in north Karnataka due to deficient north west monsoon in the current Rabi season. The state government has sought Rs 1,400 crore relief from the Centre to tide over the situation.

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The state has informed that about 33% of the total Rabi sown area of 35 lakh hectare in the ongoing 2015-16 crop year (July-June) has been affected due to drought.

The drought-hit districts in the state are facing severe drinking water problem due to less water level in reservoirs.

"There is 24% of the full reservoir level and priority is being given for drinking water. Water is being supplied through tankers in 400 villages," the state said in its memorandum.

Even during the Kharif season of this year, the state had declared drought in 27 districts due to 20% deficiency in south west monsoon rainfall. The Centre had sanctioned a relief of Rs 1,510 crore to save Kharif crops.

North interior Karnataka comprises districts of Belgaum, Bidar, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Haveri, Gadag, Dharwad, Gulbarga, Koppal, Bellary and Raichur. This is an arid zone and receives only 711 mm of average rainfall per annum.

A total of 10 states have been declared drought-affected in the country during Kharif season of 2015-16. The Centre had sanctioned over Rs 12,000 crore as relief package to these states.