Bengaluru: Karnataka is facing the worst drought in 40 years. While the state government awaits Central government aid to compensate for the damaged crops, the distressed farmers are left with no option but to commit suicide. The deficient monsoon has lead to serious water crisis and very little fodder for the cattle to survive in north Karnataka.
Farmer Hanumant Rao committed suicide on August 24 in Aland taluk of north Karnataka's Gulbarga district. He had borrowed 4 lakh rupees from a private money lender. The debt he owed to his lenders and his inability to pay back led him to take such a drastic step.
''My husband committed suicide in our field. He had taken loan which we could not repay. I want govt to help me raise my child and family'', Ambika, his wife said.
The Karnataka government has declared drought in 27 out of 30 districts as it received 35 percent deficient rainfall.
According to reports, over 400 farmers suicides have been reported in Karnataka this year of which Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur and Yadgir are the worst effected.
In Gulbarga district alone 16 farmers have committed suicide in the last 2 months.
The drought has also triggered a serious water crisis in the region. The water levels in reservoirs have decreased to alarmingly low levels. The weak monsoon coupled with this crisis has affected fodder availability for cattle. 'There is no rains for months now. We don't have food for animals or for our family', farmer Raichand said.
''There is lot of problem due to shortage. Villages are getting water once in 8 days. Farmers dont have water for farming nor drinking'', Dayanand Patil, President, Hyderabad Karnataka Raitha Sangha said.
However, the local administration in Gulbarga is supplying water through tankers to 54 villages and started 32 fodder banks.
''We are trying our best help. We are providing animal fodder at subsidized rates'', Vipul bansal, District Collector said.
With the drought conditions failing to abate, farmers are hopeful of the Centre's intervention in this regard at the earliest.
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