(AI image used ) A drought-hit agricultural field in Karnataka.
GS Srinivas Reddy, former director, Karnataka State Disaster Management Centre, who has tracked droughts in Karnataka since 1990, said the state’s biggest challenge is its reluctance to adapt to changing climate and inconsistent rainfall. “Coastal areas get about 3,000mm while Western Ghats areas act as a natural barrier for rain-bearing clouds to reach the plains. As a result, these areas get about 600mm of rain in a good year.”
“Prior to 2000, drought was accepted as part of the weather cycle and people adapted to it,” he said. “Karnataka has a spatial distribution of anywhere between 6,000mm to 450mm of annual rainfall,” said the two experts. Yet, much like a stuck record, the govt continues with the same policies. loan moratoriums and grants in drought years, experts say the recurring nature of the crisis points to deeper structural problems, including changing rainfall patterns, urbanisation, loss of vegetation, conventional irrigation practices and inadequate water management While successive govts have sought central assistance. “Instead of paddy, farmers looked to plant millets. However, with an increase in social security and welfare schemes and subsidies, people have refused to conserve water and appear set in their ways.
“On paper, our forest cover is 22%, but vegetation is only 16%.
Thimmegowda said the impact of climate change has become increasingly evident in recent years, with declining vegetation and rising pollution affecting rainfall patterns. This has affected atmospheric pressure which has further hit rainfall,” he said. Beyond natural factors, experts say inadequate water management has compounded the state’s drought vulnerability, especially the high dependence of agriculture and horticulture on rainfall. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru