Minister Directs Officials to Prioritise Filling Lakes in Drought-Hit Taluks

Karnataka's Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology, Ajay Dharam Singh, has instructed department officials to give priority to filling lakes in drought-affected taluks, tapping existing lift irrigation schemes and other available water sources wherever feasible.

Chairing a progress review meeting of the Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development Department in Bengaluru on Thursday, the Minister said the department must move quickly to address the prevailing drought situation.

Deficient rainfall linked to the El Niño effect has hit several parts of the State this year, prompting the government to declare 101 taluks as drought-affected. A few more taluks are experiencing drought-like conditions, and a decision on them is expected shortly, the Minister said.

He said filling lakes in drought-affected areas serves purposes beyond water storage. Such measures support groundwater recharge, provide water for livestock and help ease local drinking water stress.

Wherever water can be supplied through existing lift irrigation schemes or other available sources, immediate action should be taken, the Minister told officials.