BENGALURU: As many as 111 taluks of north Karnataka are under the severe drought this season owing to deficit rainfall, said Deputy Chief Minister Dr G. Parameshwara while expressing fears that the situation is likely to worsen if rainfall deficit continues in coming days. He, however, clarified as per Union Government’s ten prescribed criteria, a formal drought declaration cannot be made until the end of August. “The 111 taluks of north Karnataka experienced a prolonged dry spell for four weeks. Regarding the ten criteria to declare drought, Parameshwara said the State Government has written to the Union Government request to relax these norms. Chief Minister D.K.