Karnataka is on the brink of an economic crisis as it grapples with a severe drought, with rainfall levels plummeting to 30% below normal. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's appeal to Prime Minister Modi for a Central assessment underscores the urgency of the situation. The state has recorded only 203 mm of rainfall against a normal of 292 mm, severely impacting agricultural sowing and rural livelihoods. With only 34% of the kharif sowing target achieved, farmers are facing uncertainty and reluctance to plant crops due to inadequate soil moisture.
The implications of this drought extend beyond agriculture. Hydropower generation is projected to plummet by 60% this year, from 5,096 MUs last year to a mere 1,990 MUs, according to state energy officials. This drastic reduction threatens not only irrigation and drinking water supplies but also the state's energy security. As reservoir levels dwindle to 34% of their capacity, the government is scrambling to implement contingency plans, including ramping up power generation from thermal sources and entering power banking arrangements with neighboring states.
The situation is compounded by a forecast of continued below-normal rainfall due to strengthening El Niño conditions, which could further destabilize both agricultural output and energy production. The government is prioritizing drinking water and has issued crop advisories, but the window for effective intervention is closing rapidly. Farmers are already feeling the pinch, with the potential for a national impact on pulse production, a staple in Indian diets.
