Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared 195 taluks in the state as drought-hit, as per Central government norms, on Friday. He said the state will further submit a memorandum to the central government seeking relief for drought. In the 31 districts in Karnataka, the state has a total of 236 taluks of which north Karnataka has the majority drought-hit regions.
According to PTI, Siddaramaiah said, "As per NDRF (National Disaster Response Fund) and SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) norms 195 taluks have been declared as drought-hit, after getting a survey done and going through its report."
Speaking to reporters in the area, he said the state would submit a memorandum to the Centre requesting assistance for the drought. The taluks surrounding the capital city, Bengaluru East, Devanahalli, Doddaballapura, Hosakote, and Nelamangala, all have severe drought conditions.
According to the cabinet subcommittee on disaster management, up to 195 taluks in the state are affected by the drought.
According to the criteria of the union government, the study shows that there is severe drought in 161 taluks and moderate drought in 34 taluks. Despite the fact that 40 other taluks are experiencing a lack of rain, the government is unable to designate them as drought-affected, said the report.
Earlier, Karnataka residents performed various special poojas invoking rain gods to give a good shower for the state. In two villages in Karnataka, the residents also performed 'marriages' between two boys to receive rains on a full moon day at Hirekattigehalli in Chintamani taluk and Mogalakuppe village in Chikkaballapur taluk.
The marriage of two young boys in Hirekattigehalli was observed by everyone in the community. Two Class 5 students were chosen for the wedding and were made to dress as the bride and groom.
All rituals, including the tying of the mangalsutra, were performed. People took part in the marriage ceremony by performing aarti and requesting the rain gods' blessing.