Karnataka has found itself in deep trouble as water scarcity grips the state. Sadananda Gowda, Union minister of chemicals and fertilisers, has shot off a letter to chairman of Cauvery Water Management Authority, Masood Hussain, and Union minister of Jalashakti, Gajendra Shekhawat.

In the letter, Gowda has requested an additional two thousand and million cubic feet (TMC) of water from the KRS dam to the district of Mandya in Karnataka.

This in order to aid farmers to overcome the loss of crops and mitigate the farmers’ crisis.

The minister stated, in the letter, that Mandya, which is located near the banks of the Cauvery is mainly dependent on agricultural income. Crops like paddy, sugarcane, jowar, maize, cotton, banana, ragi, coconut, pulses and vegetables are cultivated in the area, read the letter.

Sadananda Gowda also stated that as there is deficit rainfall in the state, the canals irrigating the area are dry creating more trouble for farmers.

Stating that while there is 80 feet of water available with 2.4 TMC reserve supply, he requested Shekhawat and Hussain to examine the issue and do the needful.

The letter read:

Earlier on Saturday, the state chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, among all the political turmoil, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought central assistance to the state reeling under severe drought due to 45% shortfall in rainfall.

Before the Lok Sabha polls, the state government in its memorandum to the Centre had sought financial assistance of Rs 2,064 crore to provide relief to farmers hit by drought during the rabi season.  

Karnataka has declared drought in 156 taluks in 30 districts. As many as 107 taluks are facing severe drought, while 49 taluks have moderate drought.

About 20.40 lakh hectare farmland has been affected due to drought in the state. Crop loss is estimated in 19.46 lakh hectare, according to the state government. The state had faced drought during the Kharif season of 2018-19