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Karnataka faces growing water crisis as rainfall deficit pushes ... KARNATAKA TOP NEWS Karnataka faces growing water crisis as rainfall deficit pushes reservoir levels to danger zone Karnataka is witnessing a worsening water situation after recording a 21% rainfall deficit between June 1 and 15. Reservoir inflows remain weak, storage levels have dropped sharply and concerns are rising over agriculture and drinking water security. Dhanya Reddy 17 Jun 2026 13:02 IST Follow Us Advertisment Karnataka records 21% rainfall deficit. Major reservoirs hold only 23% water. Agriculture and drinking water at risk. With monsoon rains falling significantly below normal, Karnataka's major reservoirs are holding only 23% of their storage capacity, raising concerns over drinking water supply, farming activities and power generation. Advertisment Karnataka is staring at the possibility of a serious water shortage as below-normal rainfall during the early phase of the southwest monsoon has led to a sharp decline in reservoir storage levels across the state. According to available rainfall data, Karnataka should have received around 85.5 mm of rainfall between June 1 and June 15. However, only 67 mm …

Karnataka Seeks 4 TMCFT Drinking Water from Maharashtra Karnataka · 12 May 2026 Karnataka Seeks 4 TMCFT Drinking Water from Maharashtra Karnataka government has formally requested Maharashtra to release four tmcft of water for drinking water supply to districts in northern Karnataka, as reservoir levels have dropped significantly due to delayed rainfall and leakage issues. Bhasha Times Newsroom Not yet available in हिन्दी Share Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis requesting the release of four tmcft of water for drinking water supply to districts in northern Karnataka. The letter, sent on April 22, seeks two tmcft from reservoirs in the Krishna river and two tmcft from the Bhima river. Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan said he was hopeful that Maharashtra would release the water soon. The request comes as reservoir levels in northern Karnataka are significantly lower this year compared to 2025. The Hippargi dam, which had around 1.76 tmcft of water in 2025, has shrunk to approximately 0.31 tmcft this year — enough for only two weeks. The water scarcity has been exacerbated by a leakage of around 1.5 tmcft fr…

Karnataka prepares drought action plan as rainfall deficit persists: Dy ... Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said the state government has prepared an action plan to tackle a possible drought due to deficient rainfall and earmarked Rs 5 crore for each district to ensure an adequate supply of drinking water. Warning that the situation could become "precarious" if rainfall remains deficient in July, he said almost all reservoirs in the state have reached dead storage due to poor rainfall. "We hope there will be good rainfall sometime in July," he added. Parameshwara, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, chaired a review meeting with deputy commissioners, zilla panchayat chief executive officers and assistant commissioners of the seven districts in the Belagavi division. "An action plan has already been prepared at the state level and will be implemented by the deputy commissioners. An allocation of Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for each district to ensure drinking water supply," he said. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said a separate action plan would be prepared for other works and projects, if required. Noti…

Water Crisis: Karnataka Seeks 4 TMCFT Emergency Supply from Maharashtra 💧 Water Crisis: Karnataka Seeks 4 TMCFT Emergency Supply from Maharashtra Get link Facebook X Pinterest Email Other Apps May 11, 2026 1. The Formal Request Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has officially written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis , requesting the release of 4 TMCFT (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) of drinking water. The Split: Karnataka is seeking 2 TMCFT from the Warna/Koyna reservoirs into the Krishna River and 2 TMCFT from the Ujjani reservoir into the Bhima River . Districts Affected: The supply is critical for six major districts: Kalaburagi , Belagavi , Vijayapura , Bagalkot , Yadgir , and Raichur . 2. The "Hippargi" Factor: 1.5 TMCFT Lost The crisis has been severely intensified by a technical disaster at the Hippargi Barrage in Bagalkot district. The Leakage: Damage to the 22nd crest gate led to a massive leakage, resulting in the loss of approximately 1.5 to 2 TMCFT of impounded water. Storage Depletion: Last year, Hippargi had 1.76 TMCFT of live storage at this time; currently, it has plummeted to just 0.31 TMCFT , which officials warn will only last for two more weeks without r…

Cauvery turmoil: Karnataka farmers seek alternatives to water-intensive ... Paddy farmers in Mandya district shifting to horticultural and plantation crops. Farmers in Karnataka facing a grim situation due to the rainfall deficit in monsoon 2023. With the state mandated by court toshare Cauvery river waterwith its neighbour Tamil Nadu, farmers in districts growing water-intensive crops are now looking for alternatives as crops suffer in dry fields. Water from canals does not reach the fields of Boray Gowda, a second generation farmer in Malavalli taluk in Mandya district. “We are stuck with growing water-intensive crops, but it does not rain enough and borewells do not yield sufficient water,” he said, showing the soil quality with his bare hands to this reporter. Downstream of the Cauvery river, over 600,000 hectares in three districts in the river basin help cultivate sugarcane and paddy. Fields in Mandya, Srirangapatna, Maddur and Nagamangala taluks that are connected by canals fare a little better, but they still get water once every 10 days for the crops. This is not enough, as the crops need standing water for at least a week in a fortnight, said Krishi Pandit awardee an…

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Urges Preparedness for Potential Drought Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara has instructed officials to enhance coordination and take proactive steps to address a possible drought situation due to an expected Super El Nino weather event. At a disaster management review meeting, Parameshwara discussed measures taken by departments to tackle issues like rainfall deficiency, water scarcity, and fodder supply for livestock. He highlighted the importance of planning ahead to minimize the impact on residents and agriculture. Parameshwara emphasized the necessity of developing district-specific plans for water supply, livestock fodder, farming practices, and water conservation. He also mandated that district officials receive guidelines to ensure readiness at the local level. Monitoring reservoir levels, groundwater status, and water usage patterns was stressed to enable timely interventions when necessary. The Deputy Chief Minister urged swift action and close cooperation among departments to avert hardships for the public in the event of a natural disaster or drought. He also pushed for expedit…

Karnataka CM urges farmers to avoid water-intensive crops amid low ... Nation and Beyond Karnataka CM urges farmers to avoid water-intensive crops amid low reservoir levels TNM (With ANI Inputs) | Published On: Jul 2, 2026 ANI Photo | Karnataka CM urges farmers to avoid water-intensive crops amid low reservoir levels Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has appealed to farmers statewide to refrain from cultivating water-intensive crops until reservoir levels improve. Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru on July 2, he emphasised that agricultural decisions should be based on the progress of the monsoon and actual water availability. “This is a matter of serious concern. I appeal to farmers not to come under pressure to sow crops relying solely on reservoir water. If there is no water, we will not be able to release water for irrigation,” Shivakumar said. He urged farmers to wait for reservoir replenishment before making decisions about growing such crops. Also Read UBT Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray seeks 10-day extension for Maharashtra electoral roll enumeration Soha Ali Khan hosts an episode of ‘Alliance’ as Kunal Kemmu attends film shoot Man arrested for operating Rs 11 la…

Delta farmers seek special relief package as Kuruvai loss threatens ... Delta farmers seek special relief package as Kuruvai loss threatens incomes in TN. Image Source: IANS Chennai, June 30 : With water storage in the Mettur dam forcing a sharp decline in short-term paddy cultivation this season, farmers in the Cauvery Delta have urged the Tamil Nadu government to announce a special relief package and provide scientific guidance on alternative crops to help offset mounting losses. The demand comes after Food Minister P. Venkatramanan, during his recent visit to the Delta region, advised farmers to shift to alternate crops in view of the limited water availability. While welcoming the suggestion, farmer organisations said such a transition could succeed only if it is backed by financial assistance, technical support and a clear cultivation strategy. According to farmer representatives, the failure to undertake kuruvai cultivation this year is expected to result in an income loss of nearly ₹1,125 crore across the Delta districts. They warned that the impact would extend beyond paddy farmers, as the absence of kuruvai would also lead to a severe shortage of paddy straw, the primar…

Tamil Nadu: Farmers want Delta region declared drought-hit TIRUCHY:With no possibility of release from Mettur on June 12, farmers witnessing the withering of kuruvai crops have appealed to the State government to declare the Delta region as drought-hit. They have also urged the government to organise a meeting with them to decide the next course of action and to air out grievances like uninterrupted power supply to enable kuruvai cultivation via borewells, a common practice in previous governments. Mettur reservoir is customarily opened on June 12 annually and shut on January 28. The release is subject to the storage level. Only when the level is above 100 feet, and 90 feet in rare instances, would the dam be opened. On Wednesday, the level in Mettur stood at 79.69 feet, and the storage was just 41.648 TMC. In the last few years, with prompt release from Mettur, Delta farmers have achieved up to 6.31 lakh acres of kuruvai harvest. Farmers depending on river irrigation are now grief-stricken as kuruvai cultivation has become difficult this year. In such a scenario, the farmers who were sceptical about the water release due to poor storage in the reservoir quit kuruvai, while tho…

Tamil Nadu farmers demand measures to store maximum quantum of Cauvery ... TIRUCHY: In light of water being released from the Mettur dam for cultivation in delta districts, farmers have urged officials to prioritise filling lakes and tanks before allowing excess water to flow into Cauvery River and eventually into the sea. The Mettur dam was opened on Sunday due to the increase in inflow from Karnataka. As the water level crossed 118.410 feet at 8 pm on Monday, authorities increased the discharge for delta irrigation from 12,000 cusecs from Sunday evening to 23,000 cusecs. Notably, the dam was not opened on the customary date of June 12 as storage level was low. P Viswanathan, state president of the Tamil Nadu Tank and River Irrigation Farmers' Association, led a protest in front of the district collectorate here on Monday, demanding that the 935 lakes under PWD control in Tiruchy, Pudukkottai, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai districts be filled first. N Veerasekaran, state spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, expressed hope that farmers will receive the required quantum of water regularly for cultivating samba. He emphasised the importance o…

Karnataka prepared for possible drought, CM DK Shivakumar urges farmers ... Karnataka prepared for possible drought, CM DK Shivakumar urges farmers to plan sowing carefully By ANI | Updated: July 3, 2026 10:50 IST 2026-07-03T16:18:50+5:30 2026-07-03T10:50:03+5:30 Preferred on Preferred on Next Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 3 : Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said the state government has made ... Karnataka prepared for possible drought, CM DK Shivakumar urges farmers to plan sowing carefully Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 3 : Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said the state government has made necessary preparations to tackle a possible severe drought, following indications from the Centre and urged farmers to plan crop sowing based on expected rainfall and water availability. In a post on X, Shivakumar said the government had initiated measures to manage the anticipated crisis and appealed for collective efforts. "This year, there are indications of a severe drought, and the state government has made all preparations to effectively manage the situation; during this time of crisis, let us all unite and move forward with courage," he said.…

Parameshwara warns of drought-like situation in Karnataka, to seek ... Bengaluru, Jul 6 (PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said that the state is now facing a drought-like situation, and necessary instructions and directions have already been given to officials by him and the CM to effectively handle it. Instructions have been given to ensure drinking water for people and livestock and to address fodder-related concerns, he said. "I have already held review meetings in Belagavi, Chitradurga and Tumakuru districts and discussed the situation. Since reservoirs have reached dead storage levels, water must be used carefully. Strict instructions have been given to officials to ensure that the available water is used only for drinking purposes and not for any other purpose," Parameshwara said. Speaking to reporters, he said that some parts of the state received rainfall on Sunday. "If it continues to rain for another couple of days, reservoirs may fill up to some extent. Since it is raining in the Malnad region, inflow into KRS has begun. If reservoirs receive even a certain level of water, people will not face drinking water problems," he added. The Dep…

T.N. will take appropriate steps to get Cauvery water for farmers: Agriculture Minister Vinoth was responding to views expressed by Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy on the State’s inability to release Cauvery water to TamilNadu due to insufficient rain and low storage levels in its reservoirs

Karnataka CM Evaluates Bhima Basin Flood Damage; Relief Anticipated Karnataka CM Evaluates Bhima Basin Flood Damage; Relief Anticipated Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah will visit Kalaburagi district on September 30 to evaluate flood damage in the Bhima river basin. The devastating floods impacted agriculture extensively in Bidar district, leading to a call for immediate government relief and a special package for affected farmers and infrastructure recovery. Devdiscourse News Desk | Bengaluru | Updated: 28-09-2025 21:13 IST | Created: 28-09-2025 21:13 IST This image is AI-generated and does not depict any real-life event or location. It is a fictional representation created for illustrative purposes only. Country: India SHARE Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit Kalaburagi district on September 30 to assess the damage caused by recent floods in the Bhima river basin. This visit seeks to evaluate the extent of devastation and facilitate the coordination of relief measures. A statement from Siddaramaiah's office indicated a meeting would be held with officials from the flood-hit areas, including those from Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, and Vijayapura districts. This co…

Karnataka to seek early release of drought relief: DCM Parameshwara BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has decided to submit a detailed report on the prevailing drought situation to the Union Government and seek the early release of National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) assistance. Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said that the State Government will urge the Centre to release NDRF funds in advance. “If possible, I will personally meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and explain the ground reality and submit a request,” Dr Parameshwara told reporters on Monday. Dr Parameshwara, who also holds the revenue portfolio, said that Karnataka is now facing a drought-like situation. He said necessary directives have already been given to officials to effectively handle the drought, including ensuring drinking water for people and livestock and addressing fodder-related concerns. “I have already held progress review meetings in Belagavi, Chitradurga, and Tumakuru districts and discussed the situation. Since reservoirs have reached dead storage levels, water must be used carefully. Strict instructions have been given to officials to ensure that the available water is used only for d…

Tamil Nadu Announces ₹134 Crore Kuruvai Relief Package for Farmers June 12, 2026 Tamil Nadu announces Rs 134 crore relief package for Kuruvai farmers amid monsoon delay Copy Link X WhatsApp Share By Pioneer News Service Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday announced a special relief package worth ₹134 crore to support farmers during the Kuruvai cultivation season. The decision comes as the southwest monsoon remains delayed and the Mettur Dam could not be opened on its customary date of June 12. In an official statement, the state government said the package aims to assist farmers facing uncertainty due to inadequate water availability. Paddy cultivation in the Cauvery delta region spans around 52.72 lakh acres, covering districts such as Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and parts of Cuddalore, Tiruchi and Ariyalur. The government noted that the water level in the Mettur Dam currently stands at 79.56 feet, making its opening unfeasible at present. As a result, the usual cultivation target of around 5 lakh acres in the delta region may not be achieved this season. However, officials said paddy cultivation can still be undertaken on nearly 3.55 lakh acr…

Delta farmers seek special relief package as Kuruvai loss threatens ... Delta farmers seek special relief package as Kuruvai loss threatens incomes in TN By: IANS On: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 1:46 PM Google News Follow Us Chennai, June 30 (IANS) With water storage in the Mettur dam forcing a sharp decline in short-term paddy cultivation this season, farmers in the Cauvery Delta have urged the Tamil Nadu government to announce a special relief package and provide scientific guidance on alternative crops to help offset mounting losses. The demand comes after Food Minister P. Venkatramanan, during his recent visit to the Delta region, advised farmers to shift to alternate crops in view of the limited water availability. While welcoming the suggestion, farmer organisations said such a transition could succeed only if it is backed by financial assistance, technical support and a clear cultivation strategy. According to farmer representatives, the failure to undertake kuruvai cultivation this year is expected to result in an income loss of nearly ₹1,125 crore across the Delta districts. They warned that the impact would extend beyond paddy farmers, as the absence of kuruvai would also lea…

Karnataka Faces 21% Monsoon Rainfall Deficit; Reservoir Water Levels ... News National Karnataka Karnataka Faces 21% Monsoon Rainfall Deficit; Reservoir Water Levels Drop Sharply By Zainab Gazzali June 16, 2026 WhatsApp Facebook X Telegram Karnataka is facing a 21 percent monsoon rainfall deficit between June 1 and June 15 this year, raising concerns across the state. According to the Meteorological Department, coastal and Malnad regions, which usually receive heavy rainfall, recorded deficits of 41 percent and 36 percent respectively. Although the monsoon entered Karnataka on June 4, the state received only 67 mm rainfall against the normal 85.5 mm during the period. Officials said weak monsoon winds influenced by the El Niño effect are responsible for the poor rainfall activity. The lack of rain and rising temperatures have also affected water storage levels in major reservoirs. Of the total 896 TMC storage capacity in 14 key reservoirs, only 206 TMC water remains currently. Authorities stated that available water will be prioritised for drinking purposes, while the government may take a final decision on declaring drought conditions after reviewing reservoir levels in early Jul…

Declare Cauvery delta drought-hit, announce relief measures: Anbumani urges T.N. government He warned that weak Southwest monsoon conditions and low storage in Karnataka reservoirs could severely affect Kuruvai cultivation in the delta districts

Once again, Mettur dam misses its date with kuruvai farmers TIRUCHY: Yet another June 12, the date on which Mettur dam is to be opened for delta irrigation,  has passed without release of water.  This is the eighth consecutive year this has happened and farmers in the Cauvery delta are worried kuruvai crop would be lost forever if governments do not take decisive steps and ensure water. The efforts by the Agriculture department to meet cultivation target go in vain due to unavailability of water. The area under kuruvai cultivation has shrunk drastically. At present, only those farmers who have bore-wells can take up cultivation. Those dependent on canal irrigation gave it up 8 years ago. With the severe deficit in the last Northeast monsoon and lack of summer rains this year, many farmers who cultivated kuruvai crop last year are in quandary. Even those farmers with bore wells have decided to cultivate kuruvai in a lesser area. They are not clear as to whether they should go ahead with kuruvai this time. This is mainly because the farmers are not sure if groundwater would be adequate till completion of the cultivation. An agriculture official said, “I know a farmer who took up k…

Tamil Nadu: Declare Delta disaster-hit, waive crop loans, say farmers TIRUCHY:Claiming that the rainwater submerged the entire crops that were either in nursery stage or in milking stage, the farmers appealed to the government to declare the entire Cauvery delta region as a natural disaster-hit region and waive the crop loans availed from Primary Cooperative Credit Societies and the public sector banks. “This time, almost all the farmers including tenant farmers insured their crops and 18 percent of the farmers availed crop loans from Primary Cooperative Credit Societies and the rest of the farmers availed loan from the nationalised banks before the commencement of cultivation and now the entire crops had lost and so the government should write off the loans,” said Swamimalai Sundara Vimalnathan, Secretary, Tamil Nadu Cauvery Delta Farmers Protection Association. He pointed out that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) suggests pre-harvesting compensation to the crops damaged by natural calamity, pest and fungus attack. “And the Delta region was affected after Cyclone Ditwah, and so this can be declared as a disaster-hit region and provide proper compensation to the agg…

CM to visit Kalaburagi on Sept 30, directs officials to intensify ... Chief minister Siddaramaiah instructed senior officials to intensify relief operations in Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, and Vijayapura, four districts in the Kalyana Karnataka region now under severe threat with rivers swelling and floodwaters spilling into villages across northern Karnataka. A statement from the chief minister’s office announced that Siddaramaiah will visit Kalaburagi district on September 30 to assess damage caused by floods in the Bhima river basin. He will meet officials in Kalaburagi to review relief measures in flood-hit areas, a statement from his office said on Sunday. The crisis has been triggered by heavy rains in Kalaburagi and the release of water from Maharashtra’s Ujani and Neera reservoirs. The flow downstream has left vulnerable villages in low-lying areas, including Bennethora, staring at inundation. For many farmers, the floods have already begun to swallow fields and expose livestock to rising waters, compounding the sense of urgency. “The situation demands close monitoring,” Siddaramaiah said in instructions issued to his cabinet and the state bureaucracy. He directed revenue…

karnataka drought aid: Latest News & Videos, Photos about karnataka ... The Supreme Court urged the Centre and Karnataka government to resolve the dispute over drought relief funds. Karnataka, facing severe drought and crop losses, sought ₹18,171 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) but received only ₹3,819 crore. The court will hear the matter again in January. SC directed Centre to respond to Karnataka's plea for drought relief funds, amidst allegations of lack of assistance and arbitrary actions. Earlier, Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu too had approached the apex court to complain about the Centre. Siddaramaiah and Amit Shah clash over drought relief funds delay in Karnataka. The Congress accuses BJP of betraying the state's development, while the BJP criticizes Congress for playing politics over relief proposals. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refuted allegations of fiscal bias against Karnataka, stating all due funds were released on time. She highlighted various schemes benefitting the state, including free rations, Mudra loans, and Stand-up India funds. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah filed a petition seeking immediate NDRF fun…

Monsoon's last spell is farmers' best hope - The New Indian Express BENGALURU: With just weeks to go for the Kharif sowing season to end, which is normally by August-end, farmers across the state are pinning their hopes on the last spurt of good monsoon rain. After the initial expectations of a normal rainfall season were dashed, the Department of Agriculture is now busy preparing to deliver on its contingency plan to supply alternate short-term crop seeds to farmers. The season has so far been dismaying. The state has recorded rainfall deficit of about 27 per cent, registering only 404 mm of rainfall as against the average of 551 mm from June 1 to August 10. Of this, only 358 mm of rainfall was recorded from June 1 to July 31, marking a deficit. South-Interior Karnataka has been one of the worst hit areas with a (-)44 per cent departure from the average rainfall. Agriculture Department Director G Y Srinivas pointed out that only 63 per cent of sowing had completed so far with 46.35 lakh hectares (ha) being cultivated against the target of 73 lakh ha. Of this, only 8.53 lakh ha is irrigated while the remaining 37.82 lakh ha is dependent on rainfall.So far, districts like Mysuru …

Absence of Kaleshwaram: Farmers in desperate need for water under SRSP ... Farmers in the SRSP Stage II ayacut are battling a severe water crisis despite Nagarjuna Sagar being full. KLIS pump houses remain idle, crops are wilting, and protests are erupting across Suryapet district as rainfall shortages deepen the crisis. Hyderabad:Farmers under the SRSP stage II ayacut are facing a water crisis. Despite theNagarjuna Sagardam holding water to its gross capacity of 312 TMC ft and its main canal flowing just 40 kilometres away from the parched lands, there is no water to save their wilting crops. The Musi river is also in flood while the rest of the State is receiving widespread rainfall. But none of these sources have come to their rescue. For years, farmers in Penpahad, Thungathurthy and Nuthankal mandals relied on the Sriramsagar Project (SRSP) Stage II canal system, which was integrated with theKaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS)making it a reliable source. This network which addressed drought conditions that prevailed before the commissioning of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme and ensured two crops a year, remains dry. For the past three crop seasons, the scarcit…

Karnataka: Delayed monsoon pushes the state into water crisis Shivamogga:The delayed arrival of the southwest monsoon has triggered growing concern across Shivamogga district, popularly known as the gateway to Karnataka’s Malnad region, with reservoir levels dropping sharply and farmers staring at an uncertain agricultural season. Although the monsoon is typically expected to set in during the first week of June, the district has received little rainfall even as June draws to a close, leaving agriculture and water resources under severe stress. Farmers who sowed crops in anticipation of timely rains have suffered losses, while those dependent on irrigation from reservoirs are anxiously waiting for rainfall. Officials warn that if the dry spell continues, irrigation for crops could become increasingly difficult despite drinking water supplies remaining stable for now. The situation stands in stark contrast to last year when pre-monsoon showers arrived during the second week of May, followed by a healthy southwest monsoon that filled reservoirs, lakes and tanks across the district. This year, however, all three major reservoirs in Shivamogga are witnessing a significant decline in…

PMK demands assistance to delta farmers to cultivate kuruvai crops ... Chennai, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide assistance to delta farmers to cultivate kuruvai crop using groundwater since it has become certain that water will not be released from the Mettur dam on June 12 as per the custom. Stating that usually Cauvery water will be released for irrigation from Mettur dam on June 12, for cultivation of paddy in Kuruvai season in more than 10 Cauvery-fed districts like Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai, Anbumani said, the water level in Mettur dam this year is abysmally low. "Today the reservoir has only 41.60 TMC feet of water as against the full capacity of 93.47 TMC feet," he said. Anbumani also said that at present Karnataka's reservoirs across the Cauvery are nearly depleted, with Krishna Raja Sagar holding 11.49 TMC, Kabini 4.47 TMC, Harangi 2.97 TMC and Hemavathi 11.41 TMC - a total of only 33.45 TMC. "That is just 29.08% of the combined capacity of these four reservoirs , so Karnataka is unlikely to release water", he added. Pointing out that if water has to be released from the reservoir for irri…

Groundwater Depletion Shadows Kuruvai Season in Cauvery Delta Tamil Nadu News Updated Jun 29, 2026 Groundwater Crisis Threatens Kuruvai Paddy Cultivation in Cauvery Delta Groundwater depletion is casting a shadow over kuruvai cultivation in Tamil Nadu's Cauvery Delta, with delayed water release from Mettur Dam forcing most farmers to abandon the summer paddy cycle. Only borewell-dependent farmers have proceeded, but they face challenges from power cuts and declining water levels. A Water Resources Department survey shows steep groundwater declines across all Delta districts in May. Farmer leader V. Dhanapalan warns that without adequate recharge, even the samba season could be threatened. I IANS Jun 29, 2026 · 2 min read · 7.0K views Save Listen Copy Groundwater depletion casts shadow over Kuruvai cultivation in Cauvery delta Tiruchi, June 29 Growing concerns over rapidly depleting groundwater levels are dampening prospects for kuruvai cultivation across Tamil Nadu's Cauvery Delta, with farmers warning that the situation could worsen if monsoon rains fail to adequately recharge aquifers before the samba season. The delay in releasing water from the Mettur Dam, tra…

Will assess rain deficiency, drought across Karnataka: Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar The Chief Minister said his visit to Kalyana Karnataka was aimed at obtaining first-hand assessment of the prevailing conditions

Karnataka CM urges farmers to avoid water-intensive crops amid crisis Addressing a press conference here, Shivakumar said agricultural decisions must be aligned with monsoon progress and actual water availability in reservoirs. "This is a matter of serious concern. I appeal to farmers not to come under pressure to sow crops relying solely on reservoir water. If there is no water, we will not be able to release water for irrigation," the CM said. He added, "Therefore, farmers should make decisions based on the progress of the monsoon. Until the reservoirs are adequately filled, I urge them not to take decisions on raising water-intensive crops." Highlighting the status of major reservoirs across the state, Shivakumar said inflows have dropped sharply, in some cases to zero. "At present, reservoirs such as Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Almatti, Narayanpur and Vanivilas Sagar are recording zero inflow. There is absolutely no inflow into these reservoirs." He further noted a significant decline in Cauvery basin reservoirs compared to last year. "Even in the Cauvery basin, the inflow has reduced drastically. Last year, Hemavathi had an inflow of 88 TMC, but today it has come…

Ahead of Pongal, TN delta farmers seek immediate compensation for crops ... NAGAPATTINAM: Ahead of the Pongal festival, farmers across the Tamil Nadu coastal delta have demanded the immediate announcement of compensation, publication of the beneficiary list, and disbursal of relief for samba and thaladi crops damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. Urging the government to credit the amount before the festival, Durai Raj, joint secretary of the farmers’ association, said timely disbursal of compensation would help farmers manage losses caused by the cyclone and meet cultivation expenses. In Nagapattinam, official sources said at least 26,416 farmers are expected to benefit from the compensation. About 38,395 acres of samba and thaladi crops have been recorded as damaged, and a proposal seeking Rs 26.41 crore has been forwarded to the government. In Mayiladuthurai, sources said 22,083 farmers will be covered, with 38,642 acres enumerated as damaged and a compensation proposal of Rs 26.59 crore submitted. Farmers’ representatives said there has been a delay in releasing relief for samba and kuruvai crop losses, along with pending crop insurance claims for cotton and samba paddy. “We urge the g…

Cabinet sub-committee to discuss drought situation in Karnataka, no ... With drought situation looming large in parts of Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday a cabinet sub-committee will meet shortly and based on its observation, the state government will take a decision. He also indicated that there was no proposal for cloud-seeding, saying that there are no instances in the world of such an initiative having succeeded. ALSO READ |Leaders who align with Cong ideology can join party, says CM Karnataka Siddaramaiah The Chief Minister said the Centre will be informed once the drought is declared by the State, to get the central support as per the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms. “The cabinet sub-committee will have a meeting in a day or two. After that we will make a decision. Once drought is declared in the state, we will appeal to the Centre. A central team will come. Centre will have to support us as per the NDRF norms,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here. ALSO READ |Requested Karnataka Guv, CM, Dy CM not to take trouble of coming early to receive me: PM Modi After drought is declared, the government would carry out relief programmes in the affec…