Mandya: A central drought assessment team on Tuesday reviewed the impact of the rainfall deficit in Mandya district, gathering detailed information from officials on agricultural losses, drinking water availability and mitigation measures. The team also visited Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) reservoir.The team, led by Sudham Baeg, DC in the department of animal husbandry and dairying, held a review meeting with district officials in KRS. Deputy commissioner Kumara informed the team that the district had received only 173 mm of rainfall against the normal monsoon average of nearly 360 mm, recording a deficit of 44%. He said pre-monsoon showers during March, April and May were also below normal, making this year one of the driest in the past two decades and severely affecting agricultural activities.Mahesh, MD of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL), said the Cauvery basin supports nearly 18.8 lakh acres of farmland and serves as a major source of drinking water for Bengaluru, Mandya and Mysuru regions. With water storage levels declining, managing available resources over the next eight months remains a major challenge, he said, adding that ensuring drinking water supply is the administration’s top priority.Zilla panchayat CEO KR Nandini told the team that 289 villages have been identified as vulnerable to drinking water shortages due to falling groundwater levels, with 29-30 villages already facing acute scarcity. She said emergency measures, including hiring private borewells, deepening and re-drilling existing borewells, and flushing operations, are being undertaken at more than 56 locations.The central team reviewed the overall drought situation and the measures being taken to address water scarcity and agricultural distress with officials from various govt departments.
