Four including Thiruvananthapuram declared drought-hit districts

Wayanad, Idukki, Kollam and capital Thiruvananthapuram have been declared drought-hit districts in view of deficient monsoon rainfall.

The districts received extremely low rainfall between June 1 and August 31 prompting the Disaster Management Authority to make the declaration.

According to the IMD, even if the north-east monsoon is favourable this year, it would only be sufficient to make up for the shortfall in the south-west monsoon rains.

The reservoirs in the state are only 35 percent full. This could lead to a state-wide drought situation from January to May next year.