Shivamogga: Shivamogga DC Prabhuling Kavalikatti on Tuesday highlighted serious agricultural and seasonal challenges in the district, noting a 44% deficit in monsoon, and only 28% completion of sowing activities. Paddy and maize remain the primary crops, while farmers hope late-Aug rains will aid paddy, early-sown maize has suffered from poor germination. Nevertheless, adequate fertiliser stocks are available to meet local demands, he added.On monsoon infrastructure, the DC noted that out of 280 rain gauge stations, 208 were out of order as of Jan 2026, but 185 have since been restored, with the remaining 23 to be fixed within 15 days. These operational updates were presented to the chief minister during a review meeting in Chitradurga on July 25. Additionally, a relief proposal and special package for horticulture growers, affected by April-May hailstorms remains under state govt review.To address localised water distress, drinking water is actively being distributed via tankers to a village in Soraba taluk. Across the district, 373 villages facing drinking water shortages are identified, local private borewells have been leased as an immediate temporary measure.Draft voter list will be released on Aug 17Meanwhile, the DC said the draft voter list will be released on Aug 17. Objections can be submitted until Sept 16 and will be disposed of by Oct 15, leading to the publication of the final electoral roll on Oct 19. The district has recorded 85.1% progress in digitising voter records, covering 12,93,844 of the 15,19,459 eligible voters. While 6,196 voters updated their details online, 1,793 polling booth officers have been deployed for door-to-door visits to collect information from the remaining 69,603 unmapped residents. Door-to-door verification has so far identified 1,56,012 voters across key categories, including 43,845 deceased individuals, 23,738 absent voters and 72,544 relocated residents. Two rounds of coordination meetings have also been held with political party leaders at the taluk and district levels to facilitate smooth cooperation.
