The Karnataka government has released an additional ₹72 crore to address the escalating drinking water scarcity in rural areas, bringing the total funds allocated for drought relief to ₹198.35 crore. This decision follows a review of the drought situation by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with officials from relevant departments.
The funds will be utilized for various measures including drilling new borewells, deepening existing ones, and transporting water via tankers to affected villages. Specifically, ₹30 crore is earmarked for drilling borewells, ₹22 crore for deepening existing wells, and ₹20 crore for water transportation through tankers.
Currently, 24 taluks across Karnataka have been officially declared drought-hit, and the situation is being closely monitored in another 48 taluks. A total of 669 villages are currently receiving water through tankers, serving a population of approximately 3,345 hamlets.
The government is actively working to increase the number of tankers deployed and is coordinating with the Public Works Department to identify potential borewell locations. Instructions have been given to prioritize areas with the most severe water shortages.
Furthermore, the government is focusing on repairing and maintaining existing water infrastructure, including pipelines and pumps. Gram Panchayats have been empowered to take up immediate measures to address local water needs.
The Karnataka government has also requested a central government team to assess the drought situation and provide further assistance. The state is facing a challenging situation due to insufficient rainfall during the monsoon season, leading to depleted groundwater levels and strained water resources. The released funds represent a proactive step to mitigate the immediate impact of the drought on rural communities.
