Puducherry, Karaikal regions declared "drought-hit"

Puducherry: The Puducherry government has declared Puducherry and Karaikal regions as drought-hit for the Fasli year 1426 (2016-2017).

The order of the Lt Governor of Puducherry, Kiran Bedi has been published by the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management, in the Gazette.

The Special Secretary to Revenue Department of Puducherry, Satyendra Singh Dursawat in a gazette notification said, the Lt Governor of Puducherry has declared the two regions as drought-affected "consequent to the deficient and uneven distribution of rainfall during the north east monsoon and inadequate receipt of Cauvery river water."

Chief Minister of Puducherry V Narayanasamy had recently said that he had requested the Centre to depute a team to Puducherry and Karaikal for an assessment of the impact of the drought for sanction of relief to the farmers and cattle owners.

He had also said that it was estimated that not less than Rs 100 crores would be needed to tackle the situation caused by drought.

While Puducherry region depends on sub soil water and rain for farm operations, the Karaikal region lying at the tail end of Cauvery basin depends on the Cauvery river water.