Bengaluru, Sept. 11 -- Karnataka's rain crisis is now hitting the kitchen, with deficient rainfall shrinking paddy output and tightening supplies, sending wholesale rice prices up by around Rs 1,000 per quintal and raising fears of a further price surge.
The sharp increase is particularly visible in major rice-producing regions such as Raichur, where traders and millers are reporting lower availability of paddy amid expectations of reduced production.
The crisis comes against the backdrop of widespread rainfall deficiency across Karnataka. As of early September, 30 of the state's 31 districts had recorded below-normal rainfall, with several districts facing severe deficits.
The prolonged dry spell has also affected agricultural and horti...