Mysuru: Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah has directed officials to take immediate and coordinated measures to address the drought situation in Mysuru district, with particular focus on drinking water supply, livestock needs and support for farmers.
Yathindra chaired a meeting of officials at the Zone-3 office in Sharadadevi Nagar after visiting drought-affected villages in parts of Nanjangud taluk. He reviewed the situation on the ground and instructed officials to ensure that residents do not face shortages of essential services during the drought.
The minister stressed that the administration must prioritise drinking water availability for both people and livestock while also helping farmers shift to crops that require less water.
Ensure drinking water supply
Yathindra directed officials to take all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply in drought-affected areas.
He said water availability for livestock must also be protected and instructed officials to prepare suitable programmes based on the needs of the affected villages.
The minister said authorities should work proactively to prevent a situation in which residents are forced to face a shortage of drinking water or other basic facilities.
He also stressed that government benefits and compensation announced for affected people should reach beneficiaries without delay.
Farmers urged to adopt alternative crops
With water availability becoming a major concern, Yathindra appealed to farmers to cooperate with the administration and cultivate crops that require comparatively less water.
He said the Agriculture Department had already advised farmers against cultivating water-intensive crops such as paddy and sugarcane during the current season.
Instead, farmers have been encouraged to consider alternative crops such as ragi, jowar and millets.
The minister said shifting towards less water-intensive crops could help farmers manage the prevailing conditions while reducing pressure on available water resources.
The government is expected to support farmers through appropriate programmes and measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the drought.
Coordination between departments stressed
Yathindra emphasised the need for close coordination among various government departments while dealing with the drought situation.
He said officials should work together instead of handling individual issues in isolation and ensure that decisions are implemented quickly at the ground level.
“People’s interest should be a priority and quick and effective measures should be taken,” he said.
The minister also instructed officials to monitor the situation regularly and respond promptly to emerging problems in affected villages.
Coordination between local bodies and departments dealing with water supply, agriculture and rural administration will be particularly important as the drought situation develops.
G T Devegowda calls for equal water distribution
MLA G T Devegowda also participated in the meeting and raised issues related to water management and local administration.
He urged authorities to ensure that water is supplied equally to all lakes in the area.
Devegowda also called upon local bodies to make sincere efforts to improve solid waste management.
Proper maintenance of lakes and water bodies is considered particularly important during periods of water stress, as these resources can play a crucial role in meeting local water requirements.
Officials asked to ensure government benefits reach people
Yathindra also directed officials to ensure that compensation and other government assistance intended for drought-affected residents reach them without unnecessary delays.
He said authorities should identify the difficulties faced by people in affected areas and take measures to address them.
The minister’s instructions come after his visit to drought-affected villages in parts of Nanjangud taluk, allowing him to assess the situation before reviewing it with officials.
The administration will need to monitor drinking water sources, agricultural requirements and livestock needs as the situation continues.
Yathindra visits Ambedkar statue and religious centre
Before attending the official meeting, Yathindra garlanded the statue of Dr B R Ambedkar at Gandhi Nagar.
He later visited Urilingapeddi Mutt, where he sought the blessings of seer Jnanaprakash Swami.
The minister also paid floral tributes at the samadhi of late minister V Srinivas Prasad at Ashokapuram as part of his birth anniversary observance.
The day’s programmes combined official reviews of the drought situation with visits to important social, religious and political landmarks.
Officials attend review meeting
Several senior officials and public representatives attended the drought review meeting.
MLA G T Devegowda, MLA Darshan Dhruvanarayan, Zilla Panchayat CEO S Ukesh Kumar, Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner M K Savitha and Tahsildar Mahesh Kumar were among those present.
Their participation is expected to facilitate coordination between the district administration, local bodies and elected representatives in implementing drought-relief measures.
Focus on preventing water shortage
The minister’s directions place drinking water security at the centre of the district’s drought response.
Authorities have been asked to ensure adequate supplies for households and livestock while supporting farmers in adapting their cultivation practices.
The emphasis on alternative crops such as ragi, jowar and millets is also aimed at reducing agricultural dependence on water-intensive crops during the difficult season.
With several departments involved in drought management, effective coordination and timely implementation will be crucial. The administration will also need to ensure that relief measures and compensation reach the people who require them.
The review meeting is expected to guide further action in the drought-affected parts of Mysuru district, particularly in Nanjangud taluk, as officials work to prevent drinking water shortages and minimise the impact on agriculture and rural communities.