'40% deficiency in monsoon'

The state is witnessing a 35% to 40% deficiency in the southwest monsoon, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Jayachandra said the deficiency has been high during the last 20 days. Reports from the Met department indicate that the chances of rain during the next 10 days are bleak.

Rules stipulate that if the monsoon fails continously for one month, such  pockets could be declared as drought-hit.

The government has released Rs 30 crore for taking up  cloud seeding, the minister added.