Overview
- In a letter on Tuesday, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to depute a Central team for a first‑hand on‑ground assessment of an emerging drought.
- Karnataka recorded about a 30% rainfall shortfall with 203 mm received against a 292 mm normal as of July 11, and 18 of 31 districts showing deficit to large‑deficit rainfall.
- Combined storage in the State’s 14 major reservoirs stood at 303 TMC, or 34% of gross capacity, as of July 10, prompting a policy to conserve water for drinking purposes.
- Kharif sowing had reached only 28.36 lakh hectares by early July, roughly 34% of the 84.10 lakh hectare target, as many farmers delayed planting because of low soil moisture.
- The government has issued crop advisories and district contingency plans while warning that reduced output of pulses such as tur could affect national availability and prices; a Central response is still pending.