Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has assured that all areas facing genuine drought conditions will be reviewed, amid concerns from districts left out of the state's first drought-hit list.The assurance comes after the Karnataka government declared 101 taluks as drought-affected for the Kharif 2026 season, based on prescribed drought-management criteria. Of these, 89 taluks were classified as severely affected and 12 as moderately affected.The state has said the drought situation will continue to be assessed and that additional taluks can be included if subsequent assessments establish that they meet the required criteria.

32 more taluks under review

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said 32 additional taluks were under consideration for drought-hit status. The areas include parts of Bengaluru Rural, Davangere, Mandya, Raichur, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Uttara Kannada districts.The government has made clear that drought declaration is not based solely on rainfall deficiency. Officials are also examining crop losses, soil moisture, groundwater levels and other prescribed indicators.The situation in Kalaburagi has emerged as one example. Farmers and local representatives have sought inclusion of the district's taluks after reporting significant rainfall shortages and crop damage. Officials have been conducting field-level assessments before a final decision.

Karnataka records significant rainfall deficit

The drought concerns follow a substantial rainfall shortfall during the 2026 monsoon.According to the state government, Karnataka received 465 mm of rainfall against a normal 666 mmbetween June 1 and August 26, representing a deficit of around 30 per cent. South Interior Karnataka recorded a 41 per cent deficit, while Malnad, North Interior Karnataka and the coastal region recorded deficits of 35 per cent, 31 per cent and 24 per cent respectively.The government has also reported stress across agricultural and water resources. Soil-moisture deficiency was recorded in 178 taluks, vegetation stress was detected in 165 taluks through satellite assessment, and groundwater levels had declined in 132 taluks.

Crop loss and drinking water remain concerns

The government has directed district authorities to conduct joint crop-loss assessments and submit reports promptly. Relief measures can be undertaken under State Disaster Response Fund norms in areas formally declared drought-affected.Drinking water supply is another priority. The state has reported that water is being supplied to affected villages through tankers and private borewells, while funds have been released for drinking-water measures.The government is also monitoring fodder availability and employment opportunities to prevent distress migration from drought-affected areas.

More areas could be added

The drought declaration remains in force for six months unless revoked earlier. Officials have been asked to continue monitoring rainfall and crop conditions, meaning the current list is not necessarily final.The government is also preparing to seek financial assistance from the Centre. Karnataka is expected to submit a memorandum seeking drought relief, following the state's assessment of losses and affected areas.For farmers and districts currently outside the notified list, the immediate focus will therefore be on field assessments and whether subsequent data establishes eligibility for drought-hit status.

Reservoir left with just 12.5% water; hydropower generation halved; monsoon remains elusive as city records lowest June rainfall in a decade

The delayed monsoon and a severe rainfall deficit in June have begun to take a visible toll on the region's reservoirs, with the Bargi Dam — considered the lifeline of Jabalpur — witnessing a steady decline in water levels. In a first in 15 years, the dam is drying up in June itself. According to dam management officials, the water level is dropping by approximately five centimetres every day.

From 407.85 metres on June 15, the level has now fallen to 407.45 metres — a drop of nearly 40 centimetres. The dam currently holds only 12.59 per cent of its storage capacity, compared to about 22 per cent during the same period last year. Experts warn that even if all 21 gates are opened, water will not flow out due to the critically low level.

"We have never seen such a situation in June before," said Raja Ram Rohit, a water management expert associated with the Bargi Dam project. "The reservoir level has been brought down due to seepage repairs in the dam block. While there is no immediate cause for panic, it is essential that monsoon becomes active in the catchment areas within the next 10 to 12 days," he told reporters.

The impact on hydropower generation has been severe. One of the dam's two power generation units was shut down on June 27, while the second unit, which used to operate for eight to ten hours daily, is now being run for just three hours. Officials said a similar situation had occurred three years ago. In 2025, the water level at this time stood at 409.95 metres, compared with 407.65 metres this year.

Rainfall deficit deepens crisis

Jabalpur has recorded just 42.2 mm of rainfall this June, making it the driest June in a decade. Normal rainfall for the month up to June 30 is around eight inches (approximately 200 mm), but only about 1.5 inches has been recorded so far. Last year, the city had received 141.1 mm by June 27.

The monsoon's northern limit is currently around Mandla, and weather officials expect it to advance further. However, the India Meteorological Department has already flagged a 52 per cent rainfall deficit across Madhya Pradesh, with eastern districts — including Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol and Sagar — recording 65 to 71 per cent less rain than normal.

Narmada flow reduced, rocks emerge at ghats

The declining water level is also affecting the Narmada River, where rocks have begun to emerge at several ghats and reduced flow has led to deteriorating water quality. Water is normally released into the Narmada through the dam's hydropower plant. With one unit shut and the other operating on a limited schedule, the flow into the river has been significantly reduced.

Locals have started visiting the dam to witness the receding waterline. "I came here after hearing about the dam drying up. The water level has dropped drastically. Rocks are visible at many Narmada ghats, and the river water appears much lower and murkier than before," said Akash Koshta, a Jabalpur resident.

Drinking water, irrigation at risk

Bargi Dam supplies drinking water to Jabalpur and several surrounding towns and villages. Its canals irrigate farmland in Jabalpur and Narsinghpur, with future plans to extend water supply to Katni and Satna. Experts warn that if substantial rainfall does not arrive soon, the region could face a drinking water crisis in the coming weeks.

"We are releasing around 10 cusecs of water through the left bank canal for farmers, but this is only a stop-gap arrangement," an official said. The right bank canal had already been closed earlier, and the left bank canal is now operating at reduced capacity.

Meteorologists attribute the rainfall deficit to El Niño effects, which have weakened monsoon activity this year. They remain hopeful that the monsoon will pick up in July, but warn that any further delay could deepen the water crisis across several reservoirs in Madhya Pradesh, affecting power generation, irrigation and drinking water supply.

 Indore water crisis response tightened as civic chief orders warnings for wasteful use, penalties if people persist

 Facing an escalating water shortage, Indore Municipal Commissioner Kshitij Singhal has ordered a strict crackdown on wasteful water use, directing field officials to first warn offenders and impose fines if they continue to squander supply, officials said on Sunday.

Immediate enforcement steps

According to a municipal order issued to zonal health officers, chief sanitation inspectors and assistant inspectors, teams have been told to step up inspections during water-supply hours. Officials will look for connections without taps and for residents or businesses deliberately letting water flow when not required. Initial reports indicate inspectors will counsel violators on the spot and push for tap fittings to be installed immediately.

“Wherever water is being needlessly discharged, motivate people to stop and fit taps; if they do not comply, proceed with challan action as per rules,” the commissioner told senior staff, municipal sources said. Daily records of enforcement actions are to be sent to the Additional Commissioner.

Ground reality and timing

Civic officials said the directive followed routine morning rounds by municipal teams that found bulk wastage at several residential pockets and slum clusters. In many places, water supplied through standposts or temporary connections was seen running into drains because taps or valves were missing, leading to local waterlogging and unhygienic conditions.

The heightened vigilance comes as the city records thinner availability from borewells and other sources during peak summer. Municipal staff said inspections will be concentrated during supply windows in the morning and late evening, when most tankers and piped connections are active.

Public appeal and permitted uses

The civic body has appealed to residents to limit municipal drinking-water strictly to essential household uses and drinking. Officials highlighted misuse such as washing cars, flushing open courtyards and cleaning commercial premises with drinking supply as avoidable practices that strain the system.

“Water conservation is the need of the hour,” the commissioner said in a note to staff. “Every citizen must value each drop and support management efforts.” Municipal sources emphasised that the first response will be awareness and persuasion; enforcement will follow only if warnings fail.

Impact on supplies and tanker operations

The city is running about 720 municipal water tankers daily — roughly 125 more than last year — officials said. Most tankers are deployed under contract at rates of about Rs 2,100–2,200 per day, and the civic agency has attached over 500 privately owned tankers for distribution. Persistent complaints about tanker shortages, irregular deliveries and illegal resale of water prompted the corporation to begin procuring about 100 tankers of its own, municipal officials said.

Despite extra tankers, residents in several localities have staged protests and road blockades in recent weeks demanding reliable supply. Opposition parties and local councillors have also held demonstrations; a recent protest at Rajwada saw activists break earthen pots and stage a sit-in, while a councillor at Palda junction led a prolonged road blockade over the issue.

Why the crisis persists

Officials said the strain stems from multiple factors: depleted borewells, lower groundwater recharge, rising demand in densely populated wards, and distribution losses caused by connections lacking functional taps or valves. When water flows uncontrolled during supply cycles, it not only wastes a scarce resource but also creates waterlogged public spaces that pose health risks.

Next steps and monitoring

The municipal commissioner has asked zonal officers to file daily situational reports, including numbers of warnings issued, challans served and areas where tap fittings were installed. Enforcement teams will coordinate with ward councillors and local police where public order concerns arise during crackdowns.

Officials said the corporation also plans a targeted public awareness drive on water-saving habits and technical checks of supply points to ensure valves and taps are in place before supply hours.

Residents contacted in Janta Colony and Palda said occasional inspections helped marginally, but many asked for more consistent supply and clearer schedules. “Warnings will help if followed by regular monitoring,” one resident said, requesting anonymity.

The growing water crisis in Indore has started affecting thousands of families across the city, forcing residents to wait for water tankers, depend on limited supply, and stage protests against the administration. Despite being recognised as India’s cleanest city for eight consecutive years, Indore is now battling one of its most serious summer water shortages in recent times.

Several residential colonies in both eastern and western parts of the city are witnessing irregular water supply due to falling groundwater levels and drying borewells. In many localities, residents are receiving water only once every two days, disrupting daily life and increasing public anger. Women carrying empty utensils in search of water and long queues around tanker supply points have become a common sight in several neighbourhoods. The worsening situation has now turned into a major Public Interest Story and Trending News India issue.

Water Crisis Deepens

Residents in multiple colonies say the shortage has intensified over the past few weeks as temperatures continue to rise and groundwater sources dry up. Many households have become completely dependent on water tankers after private and residential borewells stopped functioning. Locals said they now store drums, buckets, and tanks outside their homes in anticipation of tanker arrivals.

In several areas, arguments and physical altercations have also been reported during water distribution due to increasing competition for limited supply. People living in densely populated colonies said the uncertainty around tanker timings has added to their daily difficulties.

Protests Across City

Public frustration over the water shortage has triggered protests in different parts of the city. Residents in some localities staged road blockades and demonstrations demanding immediate restoration of regular water supply. Opposition leaders and local political workers also joined the protests, accusing the administration of failing to address the crisis in time.

Congress workers organised “matka phod” demonstrations outside all 22 zonal offices of the municipal corporation. Protesters broke empty earthen pots and raised slogans against civic authorities. At Tapeshwari Bagh water tank area, angry residents gathered in large numbers and reportedly damaged a hydrant during demonstrations. Municipal staff later lodged a police complaint regarding the incident.

Residents Demand Action

In Vikas Nagar, local residents, including women, sat on roads demanding urgent water supply arrangements. Reports indicated that elected representatives also joined the protest and supported calls for improved distribution. Similarly, residents in Veena Nagar staged a sit-in protest after alleging that the local water tank was not being filled properly. People in some colonies have even warned of surrounding the houses of public representatives if the situation does not improve soon. Local residents said water scarcity has become the city’s biggest concern during the ongoing summer season.

Tankers Become Lifeline

The Indore Municipal Corporation stated that the crisis has intensified because more than half of the city’s borewells have dried up due to declining groundwater levels. To manage the situation, the civic body has increased tanker-based water supply across affected areas. According to officials, free water is being supplied through 616 rented tankers and 79 municipal corporation tankers.

Authorities said supply is also being maintained through Narmada project water tanks wherever possible. The administration has appealed to residents to report any irregularities related to water tanker operations.

Action Against Illegal Supply

Municipal authorities recently initiated action against tanker operators allegedly charging money for water meant to be distributed free of cost. During an inspection in the Rani Sati Gate area, the municipal commissioner reportedly stopped and checked a tanker operating without an official corporation sticker. Officials followed the vehicle to a residential colony and questioned residents, who allegedly confirmed that money was being collected for water supply. Following the inquiry, the tanker was seized and the operating agency was fined Rs 25,000.

More Tankers Penalised

In another action, two more tankers operating without official identification stickers were reportedly caught in the Lasudia Mori area. Municipal officials directed penalties of Rs 10,000 each against the operators.

Earlier, an MIC member had also intercepted a tanker suspected of illegally selling water during the ongoing crisis. The civic administration has now intensified monitoring of tanker operations to prevent misuse and ensure free supply reaches affected residents. Authorities have also asked citizens to report complaints through the municipal helpline numbers and the 311 mobile application if any driver or operator demands payment for water.

Administration Under Pressure

The worsening water crisis has placed significant pressure on the municipal administration and elected representatives ahead of the peak summer season. Urban planners and environmental experts say the current situation highlights long-term concerns regarding groundwater depletion, urban expansion, and increasing pressure on water resources in fast-growing cities like Indore.

Residents are demanding stronger water management planning, better storage infrastructure, and sustainable groundwater conservation measures to avoid similar crises in the future. As temperatures continue to remain high, the administration faces the challenge of ensuring uninterrupted supply and controlling public dissatisfaction across affected areas.

Contaminated water supply triggers health scare in Rewa’s Tivni village

Hundreds of families in Tivni face a severe crisis as taps discharge muddy, foul-smelling water, sparking fears of a disease outbreak.

Residents of Tivni village in Rewa district are grappling with a severe water crisis, as the local supply has been discharging heavily contaminated water for several days. The water flowing through household taps is reportedly so muddy and foul-smelling that it resembles drain water, leaving hundreds of families without access to safe drinking water.

The situation has reached a critical point where the liquid is unfit not only for consumption but even for basic domestic chores. While the region witnessed light drizzling amidst sunshine around 4:30 PM yesterday, the brief spell failed to provide any respite from the sweltering heat or the mounting water woes.

Ground reality in Tivni

Local households have compared the current state of their water supply to the infamous contamination issues previously reported in Indore’s Bhagirathpura. In Tivni, the visible sediment and stench have forced many to rely on expensive private tankers or trek to distant sources to fetch water. Those who cannot afford alternatives are forced to boil the murky supply, though many claim even filtration fails to make the water look clear.

Health risks on the rise

The primary concern among the villagers is the looming threat of waterborne diseases. With the supply being consistently turbid, cases of stomach infections and fever are reportedly being noted among children and the elderly. Families fear that if the situation persists, it could lead to a localized outbreak of cholera or dysentery.

Residents voice frustration

"We have been getting this 'nala-like' water for days now. Even after straining it multiple times, it remains dark and smells terrible," said Ramprasad Patel, a local resident. He noted that despite several verbal complaints to the local authorities, the situation on the ground remains unchanged.

Another resident, Sunita Verma, highlighted the economic strain the crisis has imposed. "The children are falling sick because of this water. We are now forced to buy bottled water for drinking, which is an additional burden on our monthly budget. How long can a common villager sustain this?" she asked.

Pipeline leakages suspected

Initial observations from the ground suggest that the contamination might be due to major breaches in the old pipeline network. It is suspected that sewage or muddy runoff is seeping into the drinking water lines through cracks, especially in low-lying areas. The source of the water itself is also under scrutiny for potential stagnation or lack of treatment.

Administration promises action

Following the escalation of public anger, the local administration has acknowledged the issue. Officials stated that a technical team from the concerned department has been dispatched to Tivni to inspect the supply lines.

"We have received reports regarding the water quality in Tivni. Our teams are checking for leakages or blockages in the distribution network. Repair work and pipeline flushing will be initiated immediately to ensure the supply of clean water is restored," a senior official said.

Demand for permanent solution

While the administration has promised a quick fix, the villagers are demanding a complete overhaul of the aging infrastructure. Many believe that temporary patches will only lead to a recurrence of the problem during the upcoming monsoon season. For now, the people of Tivni remain on edge, waiting for the first drop of clean water to flow from their taps.

Power Outage Triggers Water Crisis in Rewa’s Dhurkuch Village

Residents of Dhurkuch in Rewa face acute water shortage as prolonged power outage disrupts supply, forcing villagers to fetch contaminated water from forest areas

A prolonged electricity outage in Dhurkuch village of Rewa district has pushed residents into a severe drinking water crisis, with locals trekking nearly two kilometres daily to collect unsafe water from a forested patch.

The disruption, now stretching close to a month, has hit Ward No. 7 under the Dabhaura Nagar Parishad area. With temperatures climbing steadily, the situation on the ground appears to be worsening, particularly for children and the elderly.

Power Cut Sparks Crisis

According to villagers, the issue began when unknown persons allegedly cut an الكهرباء cable supplying the area about a month ago. Since then, electricity has not been restored, bringing routine life to a halt.

The absence of power has directly impacted water availability. Government-installed borewells in the village remain non-functional as electric pumps have stopped working, leaving residents without a reliable source of drinking water.

Trek for Unsafe Water

With no immediate alternative in place, families have been forced to walk nearly two kilometres into a nearby forest area. There, they dig shallow pits in a dried-up riverbed to collect murky water.

“It’s not fit for drinking, but we have no choice,” a local resident said, pointing to the visibly contaminated water collected in containers. The situation, villagers say, has persisted despite repeated complaints.

Complaints Go Unanswered

Residents claim they have approached the electricity department multiple times and even registered complaints through the CM Helpline 181. However, no corrective action has been taken so far.

Ward councillor Asma Devi said the issue has been flagged to concerned officials on several occasions. “We tried contacting the junior engineer, but calls often go unanswered,” she alleged.

Tanker Supply Irregular

Adding to the problem is the irregular supply of water tankers. Locals said that while tankers were expected to provide temporary relief, their visits have been inconsistent, leaving large sections of the village without access to potable water.

“There are days when no tanker comes at all,” said another resident. “We are left to manage on our own.”

Health Concerns Rise

With villagers consuming untreated and potentially contaminated water, concerns over waterborne diseases are growing. Locals report that children and elderly residents are particularly vulnerable in the current conditions.

Though no official health advisory has been issued yet, residents say minor illnesses have already begun to surface in the area.

Administration Steps In

After the issue surfaced in local media, district authorities took note. Narendra Kumar Suryavanshi, Collector of Rewa, has directed concerned departments to address the situation on priority.

“Instructions have been issued to restore electricity and ensure proper water supply at the earliest,” he said, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Awaiting Ground Action

While assurances have been made, villagers remain cautious. Many say they have heard similar promises before, but tangible action is yet to be seen.

For now, Dhurkuch continues to grapple with a daily struggle for basic necessities. As the heat intensifies, the urgency for restoring power and ensuring safe drinking water is only growing.

Bastar Heatwave Dries Indravati River, Chitrakote Falls at Trickle

Scorching April temperatures in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district have drained the Indravati River and silenced two of the region's most-visited waterfalls, raising alarms over tourism loss and a deepening water crisis.

Silence Where Waterfalls Once Roared

The thunderous curtain of water that defines Chitrakote Falls — popularly known as the Niagara of India — has been reduced to a slender stream. The falls are known to dry up during April through June as water levels in the Indravati River fall sharply. This April, that annual pattern has arrived with unusual force. Temperatures hovering between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius in Bastar district have accelerated the depletion, and both Chitrakote and Teerathgarh waterfalls are now reduced to a thin trickle, according to local reports.

The silence at these once-buzzing sites tells its own story. Tourists who travelled hundreds of kilometres to witness Bastar's natural splendour are returning disappointed.

Tourists Left Disappointed

Shivam Sharma, a visitor from Rajasthan, said he had made the trip specifically to see Chitrakote and Teerathgarh, only to find barely a thread of water flowing down the rocky face. He noted that the next visit would have to wait until after the monsoon. Other tourists who had arrived from Balodabazar, Bemetara, and Gariyaband voiced similar disappointment, though many acknowledged that Bastar's broader natural beauty remained intact.

The sharp drop in tourist footfall is already being felt by local vendors, boat operators, and hospitality units that depend on peak-season visitors.

The Indravati at Historic Low

Chitrakote Falls sits on the Indravati River in Bastar district, roughly 40 kilometres from Jagdalpur. The river, regarded as the lifeline of Bastar, has seen its water levels fall dramatically ahead of what is typically the most intense phase of the pre-monsoon period. Water diversion through Jaura Nallah near the Odisha–Chhattisgarh border, combined with the construction of check dams near the falls, has historically worsened the summer drying. This year's severe heat has compounded an already fragile situation.

As per reports, the river's flow is at one of its lowest levels for the season, with several smaller tributaries and seasonal streams in the region having gone dry entirely.

Wildlife and Ecology Under Stress

The crisis is not limited to tourism. The shrinking of the Indravati and surrounding waterbodies is placing mounting pressure on the region's forests and wildlife. Animals that depend on these water sources are facing severe scarcity during the peak summer months. Conservationists and local environmentalists have flagged that the ecological chain in Bastar — already under stress from encroachment and climate shifts — becomes particularly vulnerable when river flow collapses before June.

The condition of Kanger Valley National Park, which lies near the waterfalls and is home to significant biodiversity, is also being monitored closely by forest officials.

Tourism Economy Takes a Hit

Chitrakote is best visited during and after the monsoon, between July and October, when the Indravati swells and the falls reach their iconic width of nearly 300 metres. The April-to-June window has historically seen lean tourist traffic, but the extreme heat this year has brought numbers down sharply even by those standards.

Local tourism stakeholders say the window for meaningful summer tourism has effectively closed weeks ahead of schedule. The district administration has invested significantly in tourism infrastructure near the falls in recent months — including new viewing decks and the widening of the approach road from Jagdalpur — but those upgrades can do little to compensate for the absence of water.

Water Conservation: The Long-Term Answer

Environmentalists and community groups in Bastar have long pushed for systematic intervention to address the summer drying of the Indravati. Rainwater harvesting, periodic deepening of riverbeds, curbs on deforestation, and restrictions on check dam construction upstream are among the solutions that experts say need urgent policy attention.

Without such measures, according to those working on the issue, the annual summer depletion of the Indravati will only worsen as climate conditions become more extreme.

Monsoon the Only Relief in Sight

For now, Bastar's famous waterfalls and the Indravati River basin remain at the mercy of the approaching monsoon. Tourists, local communities, and wildlife alike are waiting for the rains that typically arrive in June to restore the river and the roaring falls to their full glory.

As per reports, district authorities have not yet issued any formal advisory for tourists, though visitors are being informally advised to plan their Bastar trip after July for the best experience. The Bastar heatwave, as of mid-April, shows no signs of easing, and the weeks ahead are expected to push the situation to its most critical point before seasonal relief arrives.