Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a likely monsoon deficit across most of the state, directing district administrations to prepare for potential drinking water shortages. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall is expected to be below normal, particularly in September, prompting the need for proactive measures. Currently, 321.93 TMC of water is available in major reservoirs, which is about 36% of their capacity, slightly lower than last year's levels. The government has identified 213 taluks and 2,410 gram panchayats as vulnerable, with 114 taluks already facing shortages. To address these issues, water is being supplied to affected areas through tankers and borewells, while ₹419.50 crore has been allocated for immediate use. Siddaramaiah emphasized that the use of tankers should be a last resort and that priority should be given to hiring private borewells. Additionally, he warned of potential disruptions in fertilizer supply due to geopolitical tensions and stressed the importance of maintaining adequate fodder supplies for farmers.