1. Central team begins drought assessment in Karnataka
A 10-member inter-ministerial central team (IMCT) has begun its four-day visit of 13 drought-hit districts of Karnataka from October 5 to assess the situation. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has called it a situation of “green drought” in some parts, where even greenery which is visible owing to intermittent rainfall is of little use.
The State government has urged the team to understand the impact of this year’s 28% rainfall deficit on agriculture rather than arriving at a conclusion looking at the standing crops. While the State is expecting a compensation of around ₹4,860 crore from the Centre, it has estimated the losses in agriculture to be ₹30,432 crore.
