Karnataka Moves To Tackle Summer Water Shortage

Kalaburagi: The Karnataka government has launched measures to combat potential drinking water shortages in rural areas ahead of summer, instructing district administrations to arrange tankers, rent private borewells and replenish dried water supplies. As many as 183 villages in 144 taluks in 21 districts in the state are currently facing famine.

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and in-charge of Kalaburagi district Priyank Kharge said drinking water shortage has been reported in 183 villages in 144 taluks in 21 districts of the state. Of these, water is supplied to 31 villages through 96 tankers, and drinking water is provided to 152 villages through 154 rented private boreholes.

“During March 2026, about 1,053 borewells are expected to be repaired through flushing and deepening, and in emergency situations, new borewells may also need to be drilled. All district administrations have been directed to take priority action in this regard,” he said.

In inevitable cases, new boreholes will be opened in line with the technical recommendations of geologists.

To ensure that rural areas across the state do not face drinking water problems in summer 2026, funds required for emergency works will be mobilized and utilized from Central and State Drought Relief Funds as well as Task Force funds of the ministry.

“To address the drinking water shortage likely to arise during summer months in rural areas of the state, Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats in all districts have been instructed to give priority to hiring private borewells on lease and supply water through tankers whenever necessary,” Kharge said.

The Minister instructed Gram Panchayats, Taluk Panchayats and district administrations to closely coordinate and take necessary measures to effectively manage and maintain drinking water supply in rural areas.

To ensure safe drinking water supply, Gram Panchayats and village level officials have been instructed to immediately collect samples from all drinking water sources as a first step, conduct water quality tests from at least three tap water connections in each village and record the information accordingly. The Minister clarified that they have also been directed to take appropriate steps to clean all overhead drinking water storage tanks (OHTs) in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.