Ballari records 49% rainfall deficit, crop damage across 71,756 hectares

Ballari district in-charge Secretary Trilok Chandra K.V. participating in a meeting on drought management in Ballari on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

With Ballari district facing a severe rainfall deficit and extensive crop damage, district in-charge Secretary Trilok Chandra K.V., has directed officials to closely monitor the drought situation and ensure that people and livestock do not face shortages of drinking water and fodder.

Chairing a meeting on drought management at the new district administration complex in Ballari on Saturday, he instructed officials to take timely measures to address the situation in both urban and rural areas.

Ballari Deputy Commissioner K. Nagendra Prasad, in his briefing, said that the district received only 186.3 mm of rainfall during the southwest monsoon from June 1 to September 30, against the normal 365.6 mm, recording a deficit of 49%. “The shortfall was particularly severe in Sandur taluk, which recorded a 68% deficit, and Kampli taluk, which recorded a 65% deficit. The rainfall shortage has also led to a sharp decline in groundwater levels, with Sandur registering a fall of up to 8.26 metres,” Mr. Prasad said.