Kalyana Karnataka reels under severe heat; cries for state-specific disaster declaration

Kalaburagi: The Kalyana Karnataka region has been enduring severe heat for past two weeks, with an unyielding sun transforming the area into an oven.
According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), temperatures soared to 45.8 degrees Celsius in Bidar, 43.9 in Kalaburagi, 43.3 in Ballari and Raichur, 43 in Yadgir, and 41.3 in Koppal on April 25.
The neighbouring state Telangana, which has a similar climate, declared a ‘state specific disaster' in certain districts and is offering Rs 4 lakh in compensation to the families of heatwave victims. As a result, there are demands to declare a state specific disaster for Kalyana Karnataka.
Data from the KSNDMC indicates that in the past 3-4 days, temperatures in Kalyana Karnataka districts were around 42-44 degrees Celsius. On Wednesday, April 23, the highest temperature in the state was recorded at 44.2 degrees Celsius in Bidar, with Kalaburagi at 44 and Yadgir at 43.8 degrees Celsius.
Other districts came close, averaging around 42 degrees Celsius. Dabaka village in Kamalapur taluk of Bidar district recorded a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, while Halburga village in Bhalki taluk reached 44.7 degrees Celsius. Kodli village in Kalagi taluk of Kalaburagi district recorded 44.9 degrees Celsius.
The intensity of summer is such that by 10am, hot water starts flowing from taps. Basavaraj Biradar, a technical officer of IMD at the Bidar Agriculture Research Station, stated, "Many areas in the KK region are experiencing high temperatures typically seen in May. The increase in temperature is attributed to the flat terrain, and there is no farming activity. A decrease in temperature and the heatwave are anticipated only after May 15."
Severe heat is affecting both people and animals significantly. Rajesh Yavagal, a lecturer at the College of Cooperative Management, said the weather affected daily activities, while activist Lakshman Dasti advocated for govt intervention through disaster zone designation.
Senior IMD scientist Prasad AD warns that areas currently experiencing temperatures between 30°C and 34°C could soon see a surge between 38°C and 40°C, with similar patterns expected in other districts. The increasing heat is also raising atmospheric moisture levels, which may lead to additional summer rainfall.
An official from KSNDMC highlighted that the govt was alerted daily about the excessive temperature rise and that a decision regarding the disaster declaration needs to be made at the govt level. He cautioned that many regions could see a temperature increase by two to four degrees Celsius over the next five days.
However, with temperatures soaring to 45 degrees Celsius and no govt action to address the situation, residents of the Kalyana Karnataka region continue to endure extreme heatwave conditions.