<p>Sounding the alarm bells, the Karnataka Government today said the drought situation in the state has worsened with deficit rainfall and water storage in dams being low.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"Drought situation has worsened and in the wake of this we have already met the Prime Minister and informed him through a memorandum that there is a loss of over Rs 11,000 crore and asked for assistance," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters here.<br /><br />The situation was going out of control, he said, adding, 135 taluks in 27 districts have been declared drought-hit.<br /><br />"There is shortage of water in reservoirs, and supply of drinking water has become an issue," he said.<br /><br />Pointing out to deficit rainfall, Jayachandra said as on August 31 distribution of rainfall is in "minus" figures in almost all districts.<br /><br />"There is shortage of water in reservoirs...there is 50per cent water...probably such a situation has not arisen in the last 44 years. This deficit rainfall will naturally result in creating many other problems," he said.<br /><br />He said the priority was to ensure drinking water supply.<br /><br />On the power supply situation, Jayachandra hinted that the state will have to brace for load shedding.<br /><br />"The state has an installed capacity of 10,189 MW; the present availability is only 6,600 to 7,300 MW. This has led to power shortage," he said.<br /><br />In Bengaluru itself load shedding should be for about two hours; in other places also there would be power cut, he said.<br /><br />He also said the state government has decided to recommend release of 253 life convicts, including two women, from jail on grounds of "good conduct".<br /><br />These include 64 cases of those who had served imprisonment of 14 years without remission. The others had served 14 years of imprisonment with remission. <br /></p>
<p>Sounding the alarm bells, the Karnataka Government today said the drought situation in the state has worsened with deficit rainfall and water storage in dams being low.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"Drought situation has worsened and in the wake of this we have already met the Prime Minister and informed him through a memorandum that there is a loss of over Rs 11,000 crore and asked for assistance," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters here.<br /><br />The situation was going out of control, he said, adding, 135 taluks in 27 districts have been declared drought-hit.<br /><br />"There is shortage of water in reservoirs, and supply of drinking water has become an issue," he said.<br /><br />Pointing out to deficit rainfall, Jayachandra said as on August 31 distribution of rainfall is in "minus" figures in almost all districts.<br /><br />"There is shortage of water in reservoirs...there is 50per cent water...probably such a situation has not arisen in the last 44 years. This deficit rainfall will naturally result in creating many other problems," he said.<br /><br />He said the priority was to ensure drinking water supply.<br /><br />On the power supply situation, Jayachandra hinted that the state will have to brace for load shedding.<br /><br />"The state has an installed capacity of 10,189 MW; the present availability is only 6,600 to 7,300 MW. This has led to power shortage," he said.<br /><br />In Bengaluru itself load shedding should be for about two hours; in other places also there would be power cut, he said.<br /><br />He also said the state government has decided to recommend release of 253 life convicts, including two women, from jail on grounds of "good conduct".<br /><br />These include 64 cases of those who had served imprisonment of 14 years without remission. The others had served 14 years of imprisonment with remission. <br /></p>