'Worst in 125 Years': Karnataka Deputy CM Inspects Devastated Crops
Karnataka Deputy CM G Parameshwara warns of a 125-year drought severity while inspecting destroyed crops in Sindhanur Taluk.
Karnataka is grappling with an unprecedented agricultural crisis as a severe drought ravages the state, leaving farmers in deep distress. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, while inspecting the scorched fields of Sindhanur taluk, remarked that the current situation is unlike anything seen in recent history, suggesting the severity matches levels not witnessed for over a century.
A Crisis of Historic Proportions
During a visit to Kalamangi village, Parameshwara interacted with local farmers, including Nagamma Sharanegowda, to assess the extent of the damage. The Deputy CM noted that the drought has reached a scale that is difficult to comprehend through modern memory.
"I have been in public life for 40 years and have never witnessed a drought of this severity. Available data suggests that a drought of this magnitude may have occurred around 125 years ago. Even in the past 75 years, we have not seen rainfall fail to this extent," Parameshwara stated.
The scale of the disaster is reflected in the administrative declarations: of the state's 240 taluks, 217 have already been officially declared drought-affected, with another 10 taluks currently under review. Aside from a few pockets in the coastal region, almost the entire state is under the grip of water scarcity.
Burning Soil and Failed Harvests
The physical reality on the ground is grim. Parameshwara described the soil in the affected regions as being so intensely hot that it feels as though it is burning to the touch, making it impossible for crops to take root or thrive.
Even in areas where minor rainfall occurred recently, the relief has been superficial. The Deputy CM highlighted several critical observations from his inspections in Ballari, Vijayapura, and Sindhanur:
- Stunted Growth: Tur plants, which typically grow tall, are struggling to reach even two feet in height before drying up.
- Zero Yield: Many crops have failed to form grains entirely, rendering the harvest useless.
- Near Total Loss: In certain pockets, crop destruction has reached as high as 98%.
- Economic Paralysis: Even the small amount of remaining vegetation is unlikely to generate any income for the cultivators.
The Debt Trap and Government Commitment
The drought has triggered a secondary crisis: a mounting debt burden. Farmers, who borrowed from banks, cooperatives, and private lenders to fund their sowing, are now facing a situation where they have no means to repay their loans. This distress is not limited to small-scale farmers; even those with larger landholdings are struggling, leaving those who usually act as community supporters in financial jeopardy.
Addressing the economic fallout, Parameshwara emphasized that the state government is prepared to take extreme measures to provide relief.
"Protecting farmers is our Government’s first priority, and if necessary, we are prepared even to borrow funds to support them," he asserted. He added that the government's duty is to stand by the farmers who feed the country and drive the state's economy.
A Call for Political Unity
The Deputy CM noted that the government has been proactive, holding review meetings in Kalaburagi, Belagavi, and Chitradurga since June. He explained that his current three-day tour is intended to personally hear grievances that could not be addressed earlier due to the Legislature session.
In a plea for bipartisan cooperation, Parameshwara reminded the public that natural disasters do not recognize political boundaries. He noted that farmers from all political spectrums—whether supporting the BJP, Congress, or JD(S)—are suffering equally, and urged all parties to work together to navigate this catastrophe.