Overview
- State leaders described the situation as an exceptionally severe drought after field visits showed nearly 80% of lakes dried and reservoir levels critically low, prompting orders to keep reservoir releases for drinking water only.
- The government has activated emergency measures including Rs 5 crore per district and Rs 1 crore per assembly constituency for drinking‑water arrangements, private borewells, tanker deployment and fodder guidance for livestock.
- Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar called a meeting of all Karnataka MPs in New Delhi to press for Central assistance and said the state has written to Union ministers asking that the Union’s 10‑point drought‑declaration criteria be relaxed.
- Talks on the long‑delayed Congress cabinet expansion have resumed in Delhi and party leaders say new inductions are likely this week, a development the government says will help ministers prepare for the Monsoon Session starting August 13.
- Opposition BJP and JD(S) leaders plan to jointly scrutinise the government on drought management, KPSC recruitment controversies and development projects during the August 13 session while the drought raises risks of fodder shortage and rural migration.