Shivamogga: A BJP drought study team led by senior MLA Sunil Kumar visited Tyajavalli and Chamenahalli villages in Shivamogga district Thursday and interacted with farmers affected by drought conditions. The team inspected lakes, dried-up water sources and affected crop fields to assess the drought impact.Among the issues flagged by farmers was the lack of daytime power supply, which has severely hampered drip irrigation management. They said power is supplied only at night, forcing them to enter fields in the dark and exposing them to the risk of snakebites and wild animal attacks.Residents of Haranahalli Hobli and nearby villages also reported an acute shortage of drinking water and fodder owing to dried-up lakes. Farmers demanded compensation from the govt for extensive damage to maize, arecanut, ginger and jowar crops. They also alleged improper water distribution under the Gowdanakere Lift Irrigation Scheme and sought modifications to the pipeline network so that water could reach more lakes.Addressing the gathering, former home minister and Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra said the party’s drought study committee is assessing crop losses, water shortages and farming distress across various districts in Karnataka. He said crop conditions in Hassan and Chikkamagaluru districts were alarming and that Shivamogga was also facing a critical situation because of a severe rainfall deficit.He said a comprehensive report based on field inspections would be prepared and submitted to both the state and central govts. He added that the BJP would strongly raise farmers’ plight in the upcoming assembly session.Meanwhile, Shivamogga Rural MLA Sharada Puryanaik and a JD(S) leader visited villages in the Haranahalli zilla panchayat jurisdiction to inspect drought conditions. She toured villages under the Kunchenahalli, Mallapura, Ramanagara, Balekoppa, Harnahalli, Konagavalli, Tyajavalli and Muddinakoppa gram panchayat limits.