Belagavi, April 25 -- The Krishna river, which is the lifeline of northern parts of the state, has started drying up due to soaring temperature, officials familiar with the matter said, adding that this used to usually happen in May.

The drying of the river has mostly affected Bagalkot, Vijaypura and Yadagiri districts in Kalyan Karnataka region. "Kalyan Karnataka receives very less rainfall and is totally dependent on the Krishna river. With the river getting completely dried in April this year, all our crops have dried," Siddarayappa Koravi, a small farmer from Yadgir in Kalyan Karnataka region, said.

He said the villagers, however, do not face a shortage of drinking water as government supplies water through tankers once in 15-days t...