By NewsGram Staff-Writer

Ninety-eight taluks in twenty-six districts in Karnataka are on the verge of severe drought. The monsoon has completely failed in at least 16 districts out of total 30 districts. The rainfall in other districts had been less as well, except in 3 or 4 districts where it was up to normal levels, according to a report published in Vijayavaani newspaper, a Kannada daily.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday night, in which it was decided to declare all the affected 98 taluks as "drought-hit". The present drought is being considered as the most severe drought since 1972 with the monsoon rainfall being estimated as 28 per cent deficient than its normal levels.

The worst hit are the farmers and the rural population. A huge scarcity of water has been created in various districts. The list of 16 districts which have been worst affected along with their percentage deficiency in rainfall are as follows:

Vijayapura (63), Raichuru (61), Yadagiri (55), Bagalakote (52), Kalaburagi (51), Bidar (50), Gadaga (44), Koppala (41), Belagavi (41), Dharwada (39), Haveri (29), Bellary (27), Chikkaballapura (24), Chamarajanagara (23), Ramanagara (22), Kolara (22).

The water levels of at least 13 dams have sharply reduced as compared to previous year's levels at this time. For example, the water level at Linganamakki dam has reduced from 126.91 thousand million cubic (TMC) in August 2014 to 66.05 TMC in August 2015. Similarly, the water levels at KRS, Tungabhadra, and Alamatti dams have reduced from 48.41, 97.70, and 117.88 TMC respectively in 2014 to 28.64, 69.57, and 72.45 TMC respectively in 2014 according to the report in Kannada daily.

The Karnataka government has already released around Rs 200 crore towards drought relief, of which around Rs 25 crore is exclusively being used to provide water to drought areas through tankers.

Mysuru Dasara likely to be a low-key affair

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government is also thinking about conducting this year's Dasara celebration in a simple manner restricted to conducting only the traditional ceremonies. But, the final decision is yet to be taken. The government has asked the Dasara Celebration Committee member to consult various stakeholders, writers and social leaders regarding the issue.