While the monsoon has intensified over the past week and Dams, especially in southKarnataka, have been filling up, scanty rain in June has left large swathes of the state dry and has exacerbated the shortage of drinking water, revenue ministerKrishna Byregowdarevealed in the legislative assembly
the lowerHousethat the government has sanctioned Rs 1 crore to each district to supply drinking water, and that he has directed deputy commissioners (DCs) of districts to take steps to supply water through tankers. Last week,Byregowdahad pegged the deficit of rain in June at an overall 50%, although he had said that in some parts of the state the deficit was as much as 90%.
Replying to former chief ministerBasavaraj Bommai, who during , raised the issue of acute shortage ofdrinking water due to the delayed monsoon, Byregowda said 193 villages across the state are suffering from a scarcity of drinking water. The minister said arrangements are being made to supply water to residents from borewells and tankers.
Data shows that 11 districts recorded a deficit of rain in June, while four saw large deficits. A deficit of 19% is considered normal and anything above 60% is considered a large deficit. However, while the coastal and some parts of theMalnadregion have received large amounts of rain over the past few days some regions in north Karnataka continue to remain dry.