With Virajpet, Somwarpet and Ponnampet taluks declared drought-affected due to deficient rainfall this year, Deputy Commissioner (DC) S.J. Somashekhar has directed officials and engineers to take necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply to people and livestock in the coming months.
He was speaking after reviewing arrangements for drinking water and fodder supply at a meeting with officials held at his office in Madikeri recently.
Somashekhar said the monsoon had been deficient, with rainfall 33% to 50% below normal in the affected taluks, and called for precautionary measures to be taken immediately.
Officials of the concerned departments and engineers were directed to ensure the supply of safe drinking water to people and adequate drinking water and fodder for livestock. Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Dr. Lingraju Doddamani said sufficient fodder stocks were already available to meet the requirements for about 46 weeks. Â Â Kodagu has been allocated 2,340 fodder seed kits, which would be distributed shortly, he said.
The department also plans to encourage 250 farmers to cultivate azolla as a high-protein feed for milch cattle. The milk union will also take steps to distribute fodder seed kits, he added. According to Joint Director of Agriculture Chandrashekhar, delayed and inadequate rainfall during the monsoon has resulted in crop damage. An estimated 2,279 hectares have been affected, including 159 hectares of maize in Somwarpet taluk, 650 hectares of paddy in Virajpet taluk and 1,470 hectares in Ponnampet taluk.
A report seeking the release of approximately Rs 1.93 crore in input subsidy has been submitted to the government, he said.
The assessment of crop damage was based on factors including a lack of rainfall for three to four consecutive weeks, soil moisture and moderate groundwater levels, the Joint Director said.
Executive Engineer of the Jal Jeevan Mission, Bhaskar, said there was currently no shortage of drinking water supply in the district up to December. The government has released Rs 1 crore for each Assembly constituency for drinking water supply, he said.
Somashekhar noted reports in the media about water sources drying up and directed officials to closely monitor the situation.
In villages facing or likely to face drinking water shortages, officials were asked to identify nearby borewells with adequate water yield and suitable water quality and make alternative arrangements for supply.He also directed officials to ensure that drinking water supply was not disrupted in urban and town areas.
Urban Development Cell Executive Engineer Srinivas said steps would be taken to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply in urban and town areas.
The DC directed the Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Drinking Water and Engineering, Urban Development and Municipal Administration departments to effectively implement drought-management measures within their respective jurisdictions.
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