TN CM Edappadi Palaniswami had met the Prime Minister in February and sought Rs,39,565 crore as drought relief
According to the report, CWC statistics show that Andhra Pradesh is next in line with deficient storage of 48%. Karnataka and Kerala reservoirs meanwhile report a defieciency of 37% and 31%. Telangana meanwhile has reported reserves 71% above normal. Concerns over drinking and irrigation needs have risen, with increasing depletion of water from reservoirs in the last 20 days.
On January 10 former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had already declared Tamil Nadi as drought-hit based on an assessment undertaken by the state. All 32 districts had been labelled drought-affected after receiving deficit rainfall. Further, Tamil Nadu had alleged that Karnataka’s non-release of Cauvery water had worsened the situation.
The State Governmen’t declaration came soon after close to 40 farmers protested outside the Trichy collector’s office, holding dead rats in their mouths. The farmers had then alleged that the water crisis had affected paddy cultivation in the state, pushing them into poverty.
Source: The News Minute