K'taka staring at drought? 16 of 30 dists face rain deficit

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat R a j (RDPR) Priyank Kharge on Monday told officials to prepare for a drought-like situation in the backdrop of rainfall deficit in 16 of the 30 district of Karnataka.

The disclosure was made at a review meeting where Kharge told officials to prepare a contingency plan in case rains remain scant.

Of the affected districts, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu and Shivamogga have also witnessed a considerable drop in groundwater levels, say reports.