In light of a significant pre-monsoon rainfall deficit and the likelihood of below-normal rainfall in the coming months, Urban Development Minister and Mysuru-Chamarajanagar district in-charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah has directed officials to advise farmers on crop planning based on weather forecasts and rainfall patterns to minimize losses. During a review of drinking water preparedness and kharif sowing progress at the zilla panchayat, Dr. Yathindra emphasized the importance of encouraging farmers to shift away from water-intensive crops and instead cultivate drought-resilient varieties such as ragi, jowar, and pulses in view of the uncertain monsoon.
The Agriculture Department has been asked to step up awareness campaigns on crop diversification and provide scientific guidance, particularly after downy mildew was reported in jowar fields in H.D. Kote and Periyapatna taluks. With the rainfall deficit raising concerns over water availability, the Minister has instructed officials to closely monitor the drinking water situation and ensure that reports accurately reflect ground realities. Officials have been directed to make regular field visits and arrange private borewells and tanker supply in villages facing shortages.
Dr. Yathindra has also stressed that drinking water projects should not be considered complete until power connections are provided by Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) Limited and water supply actually begins. Mandatory quality testing of water supplied through private borewells and tankers has also been ordered. The Forest Department has been directed to expedite statutory clearances anticipating increased demand for new borewells and pipeline works.
The Minister has asked officials to fast-track drinking water projects under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme in Chamarajanagar district and directed the Mysuru City Corporation to prepare a ward-wise assessment of drinking water problems. Pending electrification and pumping works for overhead water tanks should be completed within fixed timelines, he added.
Several legislators, including Sunil Bose, Chamarajanagar MP, Tanveer Sait, Narasimharaja MLA, and K. Harish Gowda, Chamaraja MLA, raised concerns and made suggestions to address the drinking water shortages in the region. Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy announced that a separate meeting chaired by local legislators would be convened to review drinking water issues in Mysuru city.
