Bengaluru: With several parts of the State reeling under drought, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (HDK) on Wednesday directed the officials to visit at least one village everyday to get stock of the situation.

The CM, along with Revenue Minister R.V. Deshpande and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Krishna Byregowda, reviewed the drought situation with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Zilla Panchayat (ZP) CEOs via video conference yesterday.

Asking the officials to ensure that all tankers supplying water to drought-hit villages and towns are equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) to prevent misuse, the CM said that over 2,000 tankers and more than 1,800 private borewells have been hired to meet drinking water needs.

Pointing out that nearly 3,000 villages are facing a severe water crisis, he directed the DCs to buy GPS devices and recover the cost from the tankers later.

Revenue Minister R.V. Deshpande said that the Government has declared 156 of the 176 taluks in the State as drought-hit.

Noting that the number of tankers and borewells used this time is the highest ever, he said that the Government was spending about Rs.4.87 lakh per day on water supply through tankers.

Expressing concern over availability of cattle fodder, Deshpande said that fodder banks across the State have 62.48 lakh tonnes of fodder for 1.29 crore cattle and the stock is expected to last only for 12 weeks.

Stating that pre-monsoon rainfall was 40 percent lesser this year, the Minister said that the DCs and ZP CEOs have been directed to tour districts.

Kodagu DC directed to take precautionary measures

During the video conference, the CM directed Kodagu DC Annies Kanmani Joy to take all precautionary measures for tackling possible floods and landslips during the coming monsoon rains.

Approving the proposals of Kodagu District Administration for construction of roads, drainage systems and other civic amenities to the houses built for last years flood victims, the CM ordered expedition of all rehabilitation works in Kodagu.

DC Annies Kanmani Joy said that the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified spots prone to landslides/landslip, following which the Administration has launched awareness among the people living in these areas.

Pointing out that Nodal Officers have been appointed for constant monitoring of the works, she said that Ashraya Houses are being built and measures have been taken for ensuring the safety of cattle during monsoons.

Stating that eight teams have been formed to take up rescue operations in case of floods, the DC said that a proposal has been sent for deploying a NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) team at Kodagu in the last week of June when the monsoon will be at its fury.

She further said that the Water Resource Department has taken up Harangi Dam de-silting on a war-footing and measures have been taken for purchasing the equipment needed for relief and rescue operations.