CM Shivakumar Flags Drought And Power Challenges Amid Rising Demand In Karnataka

Karnataka is facing a severe drought situation alongside an emerging power crisis as electricity demand rises, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Monday. He warned that declining water availability could affect drinking water supply, agriculture and power generation in the coming days. Speaking in his native Kanakapura, Shivakumar said he had personally visited several drought-affected areas and that drought conditions had been reported at more than 200 locations.

The state government has already declared drought in 100 taluks, while the process of assessing and notifying drought conditions in other areas is continuing. Shivakumar said the government had to follow procedures prescribed by the Centre before making such declarations. He added that water sources had declined considerably this year, while crop damage and difficulties in sowing had affected farmers in several regions.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern over Karnataka’s growing electricity requirement. He said the state had faced an additional demand of around 19,000 MW last week, which the government managed with difficulty. Electricity had to be purchased during peak evening hours at rates of Rs 11, Rs 12 and Rs 13 per unit, while consumption was comparatively lower during the day and rose sharply at night.

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To address the power shortage, Shivakumar said he had directed the Power Minister to hold discussions with neighbouring states on electricity availability. He said the government was also considering increasing thermal power generation and exploring ways to augment coal-based generation. Under the One Nation, One Grid system, electricity generated in other parts of the country can be transmitted to Karnataka, he said, though the state would have to bear transmission and related costs. Shivakumar maintained that ensuring water and power supplies would remain a priority despite the financial implications.

The Chief Minister said Karnataka was also witnessing increased demand for land, water and electricity from investors, while the drought situation was contributing to a rise in the cost of essential commodities. Infrastructure projects have also been affected after the supply of jelly stones used for road construction from Tamil Nadu was stopped, he said, adding that their prices had risen by around 40 per cent. Shivakumar appealed to people to pray for adequate rainfall during the Gowri-Ganesha festival and said load shedding was not an option.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar said the state Cabinet would hold its first meeting in the coastal region in Mangaluru on September 18, with concerns about migration from the region among the issues being considered. He also said the state legislature would convene a special session from September 21 to 23 to discuss the drought situation and the Kasturirangan report. Shivakumar said the government was not viewing the issue through a partisan lens and noted that some BJP legislators had privately sought a special session on the matter.

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