Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Oct 3: The state government has declared Bantwal, Beltangady and Ullal taluks in Dakshina Kannada, and Udupi and Byndoor taluks in Udupi district as drought-affected areas. Madikeri and Kushalnagar taluks in Kodagu district have also been declared drought-affected.
Earlier, the state government had directed officials to conduct an assessment and submit a report regarding the declaration of these taluks as drought-affected. Accordingly, officials from the Revenue Department and other departments examined various aspects, including the rainfall recorded in these taluks, and submitted a report to the government.
Based on the report, the government on Thursday added these taluks to the list of additional drought-affected taluks. Following the declaration, the district administration and local authorities will have greater scope to identify areas that may face drinking water shortages and take necessary precautionary measures.
In particular, if water sources dry up or groundwater levels decline in rural areas, available funds can be utilised for emergency drinking water supply. In addition to special funds released by the government for drought management, funds available in the PD accounts of the Deputy Commissioner and Tahsildar can also be utilised as required.
The funds can be used for various works necessary to manage the drought situation, including drinking water supply, maintenance of water sources and emergency works.
A total of 22 taluks, including Shikaripura, Shivamogga, Soraba, Thirthahalli, Chikkamagaluru and Kalasa, have been declared drought-affected this year.
“The declaration of these taluks as drought-affected will make additional crop compensation, drinking water management and other facilities available,” said Raju K, additional deputy commissioner, Dakshina Kannada.
Meanwhile, hot weather conditions prevailed across Udupi district on Friday, with temperatures rising considerably during the afternoon. There were no reports of rainfall anywhere in the district.
Residents in rural areas experienced cool weather on Thursday night and Friday morning. Udupi district recorded a maximum temperature of 33 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 27 degrees Celsius on October 2. Cloudy conditions along with sunshine were reported in Byndoor, Kundapur, Hebri, Brahmavar, Udupi, Karkala and Kaup taluks.
Some parts of Dakshina Kannada received rainfall after Friday evening and during the night. Mangaluru experienced sunny, cloudy and humid conditions.
The temperature in Mangaluru has been rising, with a maximum temperature of 33.2 degrees Celsius recorded on Friday, which was 2.5 degrees Celsius above normal. The minimum temperature was 24 degrees Celsius, which was 0.7 degrees Celsius above normal.
According to the India Meteorological Department forecast, some parts of the coastal region are likely to receive rainfall over the next two days.