The New Indian Express ·
El Nino may trigger severe drought in Karnataka in 2027: State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre
CHITRADURGA: Karnataka may face a severe drought in 2027 if the prevailing El Nino conditions continue beyond February-March next year, warned M S Divakara, director, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), Bengaluru.
Divakara said prolonged El Nino conditions had made 2026 the year with the lowest rainfall recorded in Karnataka in the last five decades. As of September 16, 30 of the state's 31 districts were in the rainfall-deficient category, indicating severe drought conditions across the state. He said the impact was being felt across Karnataka and several neighbouring states.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also observed rainfall deficiency across the entire South Peninsular India during the current South-West Monsoon 2026. This has affected rainfall distribution, agriculture and water availability.
