Bengaluru: Karnataka is likely to receive above-normal pre-monsoon rainfall, with significant showers expected in April and May. This comes after temperatures touched 2.5°C above normal this month, prompting concerns over weather patterns and water availability.
A cabinet sub-committee, chaired by revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda, met Thursday to review rabi and monsoon seasons, drinking water supply, agriculture, and reservoir levels. Public works minister Satish Jarkiholi, rural development and panchayat raj minister Priyank Kharge, and agriculture minister N Cheluvarayaswamy were present.
“We expect above-normal rainfall in April and May,” Byre Gowda said. “There is also a likelihood of increased rainfall in the last week of Feb and March. However, rainfall during the rabi season has been below average, and precipitation from Oct to Dec is expected to decline.”
At the meeting, officials said current temperature is expected to taper off towards the end of the month. Byre Gowda directed officials to ensure there is no drinking water shortage across the state.
The sub-committee reviewed water storage in 14 key reservoirs, which currently hold 535tmc — around 60% of average capacity — higher than last year’s 332tmc. However, some reservoirs reported lower-than-expected levels, prompting a call for careful water management.
“Due to long-term water scarcity and water quality issues, drinking water is being supplied via tankers and borewells to 66 villages across 13 taluks in five districts — Chikkaballapur, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Bengaluru Urban, and Ramanagara,” a govt statement read.
With Rs 488 crore available in the Disaster Relief Fund, the govt has said financial constraints would not hinder relief efforts. A detailed report will be presented in the next meeting.