Dist admn urges govt to declare four taluks as drought-hit in Hassan

More taluks on risk of joining the bandwagon due to dryness

Crops have withered completely in Arsikere, Channarayapatna and Holenarsipur taluks, while 75 per cent of crops have dried due to lack of moisture content in Halebeedu hobli in Belur taluk.

The situation is surprising in Hassan as three dams in the district are full to the brim. According to statistics, the district has received average rainfall. In June, the average rainfall was 55 per cent and in September it was 40.6 per cent. Agriculture has been hit as rainfall hasn’t been equal in all parts of the taluk. Water shortage has surfaced in September at Javagal, Gandasi, Kanakatte, Banavari hoblis. In Banavara, two of the three lakes have dried up. In Channarayapatna, except for a couple of months, the remaining months have received less than average rainfall. The prominent lakes in the taluk have also dried up.

The situation is worse in Holenarsipur. Taluk assistant agriculture officer Kokila said that farmers have lost crops in Shanthigrama and Dudda hoblis in Hassan taluk. Officials are visiting all taluks and collecting information.