Karnataka facing twin challenge of flood, drought: Siddaramaiah

BANGALORE: Karnataka is facing twin challenges of floods and drought at the same time, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said today as he exhorted the district machinery to galvanise efforts to deal with the situation.

Addressing Regional and Deputy Commissioners here, he said while parts of the state are witnessing floods, many taluks haven't received much rainfall, leading to drought conditions.

Rains have failed at many places where sowing operations had begun which led to drying up of crops, he said, adding that issues like providing drinking water, fodder and employment in areas which received poor rainfall need to be addressed.

Revenue Secretary and Chief of the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority wing, Tushar Girinath said five districts -- Chikmagalur (56 per cent more), Hassan (50 pc), Shimoga (35 pc), Kodagu (37pc) and Uttara Kannada (29 pc) -- have received excess rain-fall as per the figures available from June one to July 31 this year.

In contrast, districts of Kolar and Chikkaballapura received 25 per cent and 23 per cent less rainfall, respectively, while Yadgir, Dharwad, Ramanagara and Tumkur were among the districts which received lower showers.

In his opening remarks, the Chief Minister also stressed the need for effective implementation of the Congress government flagship programme of providing rice at Rs one per kg to BPL families and milk to school kids.

He also reviewed implementation of social security programmes, including old age and widow pensions, for which directions had been issued earlier to hold "adalats" at "hobli" (clutch of surrounding villages) level to identify those who missed out and cover all the eligible candidates.