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The Forest Department has installed 14 CCTV cameras around the Mysuru Palace premises to monitor the Dasara elephant team around the clock. This move is part of the Jumboo Savari training sessions, which have begun in earnest. Public entry into the elephant enclosure has been restricted to ensure the animals’ health and safety.

The CCTV system covers strategic points to track the elephants’ movements and prevent unauthorized access. Three locations, including the Kodi Someshwara Temple Yard, have been designated for tethering the elephants, each under constant surveillance. Feeds from all cameras are relayed to a television screen at the storage centre near the kitchen, where staff monitor the visuals continuously, and senior officers such as the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) can view the live feed on their mobile phones.

The kitchen where nutritious meals for the elephants are prepared is also under CCTV coverage to ensure transparency and strict compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Entry is limited to Forest Department staff and mahouts, and cameras help prevent people from approaching the animals.

Following the tragic elephant attack at Dubare Elephant Camp earlier this year, which claimed the lives of a Chennai-based woman tourist and the elephant Jayamarthanda, the Forest Department has strictly enforced SOPs, barring public access near the elephants. Police and Forest Department personnel have been deployed along approach roads, turning away hundreds of visitors at the Bhuvaneshwari and Trinayaneshwara Temple gates.

Enthusiasts are now flocking to watch the Jumboo Savari route training sessions from the Palace to Bannimantap via Sayyaji Rao Road, gathering in large numbers each morning and evening. On the fourth day of training, elephant Prashanth led the contingent, with wildlife lovers gathering at the Anjaneyaswamy Temple grounds to watch the march.

In the evening, elephant Dhananjaya led the rehearsal along the stretch from the Palace premises to the Government Ayurveda College, drawing thousands of spectators who offered flowers and bowed reverently as the Dasara elephant team passed.

Mysuru district is experiencing a severe 55% rainfall deficit, with an estimated crop loss of ₹122 crore due to drought. The district was expected to receive 310 mm of rain between June and August, but only 140 mm fell, prompting urgent relief measures.

Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara chaired a drought‑review meeting at the Zilla Panchayat on 1 September 2026 after touring the affected Hunsur and K.R. Nagar taluks. He voiced alarm over the rainfall shortfall, a sharp drop in employment generation and poor enrolment in crop‑insurance schemes. Only 1.91 lakh person‑days of employment have been created since July 2026, a 55% fall from the 4.33 lakh person‑days recorded the previous year, prompting him to ask, “Are people not demanding work? What are the zilla panchayat CEO and the officials under him doing?”

He declared eight taluks – H.D. Kote, Hunsur, K.R. Nagar, Mysuru, Nanjangud, Saligrama, Saragur and T. Narasipura – as severely drought‑affected and directed officials to intensify relief measures.

On crop insurance, Parameshwara noted that while 49.64 lakh farmer applications covering 33,17,167 hectares have been registered statewide, only 20,836 farmers in Mysuru covering 8,046 hectares have enrolled. He warned, “Why are officials showing such negligence? Why have they not encouraged farmers to enrol? Irresponsibility will not be tolerated.”

The district holds 7,04,890 tonnes of fodder, enough for about 33 weeks, but availability drops to 25 weeks in Mysuru and Hunsur taluks and 26 weeks in Periyapatna. Parameshwara urged that borewell owners receive fodder seeds to grow fodder and said the government has released ₹25 crore to the Animal Husbandry Department for fodder‑kit distribution.

Drinking‑water shortages have been reported in 14 gram panchayats across six taluks. Six villages receive water via six tankers, nine villages via ten hired private borewells, and in urban areas 14 tankers supply water to 13 wards across three Urban Local Bodies.

He added that drought‑review meetings for the Belagavi and Kalaburagi revenue divisions have been completed and that he personally inspected conditions in Belagavi, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Chickballapur and Kolar districts.

Joint Director of Agriculture K.H. Ravi told the meeting that 2,12,751 hectares – about 56% of the cultivable area – have been sown this year, with nearly half of the sown area damaged by deficient rainfall. By contrast, 3,76,609 hectares (around 76% of cultivable land) were sown last year.

The meeting was attended by Mysuru district in‑charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, along with MLAs, MLCs and senior officials.

The Karnataka government’s decision to revamp Mysuru Dasara celebrations has raised concerns over the possible commercialisation of the cultural festival. While business entities have welcomed the government’s grand plans and the scope for increased economic activity, locals and experts are wary that too many new additions could dilute the uniqueness of the celebrations. They fear excessive commercialisation may further dent the festive atmosphere and shift the focus away from the cultural and heritage aspects that have made Mysuru Dasara distinctive. Many stakeholders alleged that Dasara-related decisions are imposed upon the public instead of being made through collective decision-making. An officer explained, “For example, kambala has no relevance in Mysuru. It will definitely not attract tourists. Still it is being included in the festivities. The district authorities are clueless about what is really happening.”

Mysuru Hotel Owners Association president C Narayana Gowda stated that adding new events in the name of attraction may boomerang in the future, emphasizing that the uniqueness of Dasara should be protected. He noted, “A few years ago, Dasara was organised with just 5 committees. Today the number has increased to 22. Instead of adding new attractions, the originality of Dasara should be protected and propagated. It will serve all purposes.” He added, “If we continue to add new attractions, the original celebrations will lose their importance.” Heritage expert NS Rangaraju said the state government must form a Dasara authority instead of taking unilateral decisions, stating, “We don’t know how Kambala will add value to Dasara. It will be a detraction.” Historian PV Nanjaraj Urs observed that bringing film stars to the procession or making new additions may not serve the real purpose, remarking, “Original Dasara celebrations are now limited to the palace. The govt Dasara celebrations now has become meaningless.” However, industry stakeholders welcomed the move; BS Prashanth, president of Mysuru Travels Association, said the proposals of new attractions to the Dasara is a good move.

In Mysuru, celebrities, musicians, and politicians gathered to pay tribute to the legendary singer S Janaki, urging the government to confer the Bharat Ratna, build a memorial, and establish a study centre in her honour. They recollected her motherly affection, childlike innocence, simplicity, dedication, and devotion to singing, as well as her over 48,000 evergreen songs in more than 20 languages. Veteran music director Hamsalekha shared that artists will come together to build her memorial at Kaniyanahundi of H D Kote taluk, where she was cremated. Karnataka Film Academy President Sadhu Kokila stated that the government will build her memorial and has already discussed it with Mysuru District In-charge Minister S Yathindra Siddaramaiah and will discuss it with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Noted lyricist Kalyan opined that S Janaki was a ‘precious gem’ of the nation and should be conferred with the Bharath Ratna. Malayalam singer Sujatha Mohan recalled her association with S Janaki since she was a ten-year-old child and her close bonding with her daughter, singer Shwetha Mohan. Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy President Jayamala said the state government should establish a study center at the University of Mysore in S Janaki’s name to study, document her works, and inspire upcoming generations. MLA G T Devegowda announced that the Bogadi road, where she lived, will be renamed as S Janaki Road.

Actor Vinod Raj suggested that the state government should establish welfare funds to take care of senior artists and honour them with lifetime achievement awards when they are alive. Umashri described S Janaki as ‘Kala Tapasvi’ and felt it was an honour to present the Rajyotsava award in 2014. Many other celebrities, including singers Vijay Prakash, Rajesh Krishnan, and Shamitha Malnad, paid tribute to S Janaki, hailing her as an inspiration and a legendary singer. Director S Narayan and actors Srinath and Tara also paid their respects, stating that her songs are classics and will be loved forever, and that she will live on forever with her evergreen songs.

Construction of an Olympic-size international swimming pool has finally begun at Dr BR Ambedkar Stadium in Chamarajanagar town. The project was announced in the 2025 state budget. The department of youth empowerment and sports has taken up the project at a cost of Rs 5.5 crore after obtaining the necessary approvals. Local MLC Puttaranga Setty formally launched the work. Officials said the swimming pool is expected to be completed by the end of March next year. Efforts to establish a swimming pool in the district date back over a decade. The district administration had proposed a smaller 12×25-metre pool near the indoor stadium to promote swimming among sports enthusiasts and sent a proposal to the state government. However, the project failed to take off and was eventually shelved due to a lack of funds and other constraints.

Demand for a swimming pool grew stronger over the years, as Chamarajanagar lacked the facility even nearly 29 years after becoming a district headquarters. In response, the state government sanctioned Rs 5.5 crore in 2025 to the department of youth empowerment and sports for the construction of the pool. Apart from the main pool, the department plans to build a smaller pool for children and a separate warm-up pool for swimmers at the same venue. The department has also recently upgraded the indoor stadium with improved facilities, including a shuttle badminton court, basketball court, fresh painting, renovated toilets and other amenities. Mahesh, a sports enthusiast from Chamarajanagar, said that though the district stadium was built two decades ago and upgraded with several facilities, many works remain incomplete, and there is still no permanent solution for rainwater drainage.

Bindya, in charge assistant director of the department of youth empowerment and sports, said construction work had commenced. “A full-fledged swimming pool with all modern facilities will be ready by next March. The department will also initiate steps to appoint a coach and other staff as the project progresses,” she said.

Stray dog lovers in Mysuru city can now feed dogs in their vicinity at dedicated stray dogs feeding zones established by Mysuru City Corporation officials at selected locations in the city. In the coming days, officials assure to initiate steps to improve the feeding zones, such as maintenance of cleanliness and placing bowls. The initiative began a month and a half back when an animal lover who regularly feeds stray dogs in Jayanagar behind Tree Park identified a spot for feeding stray dogs. An environmental engineer attached to the City Corporation explained that a couple of places in the city limits were identified and signboards were placed for animal lovers to feed stray dogs. The environment officer stated that more stray dogs feeding zones would be identified and established, with facilities such as clean surroundings and providing bowls. The officer also stated that the goal is to set up at least one stray dog feeding zone in every ward under Corporation limits. An official from the department of animal husbandry noted that while there are no guidelines on establishing feeding zones, they should be away from human locations and not disturb vehicular movements. The official emphasized that feeding stray dogs does not mean offering leftover spicy or stale foods, which could pose health problems. A resident of Vidyaranyapuram, Lakshmi Krupa, an animal lover, welcomed the feeding zones for stray dogs and stressed the need for officials to create awareness about the facility, as many animal lovers are unaware of its availability in the city.

A 56-year-old man, Sudhakar Achari, was arrested by Thirthahalli police in Shivamogga for manufacturing illegal country-made weapons. The arrest followed a raid on his house in Aklapura, where a locally manufactured firearm was seized. Sudhakar, who previously repaired firearms in the Malnad region, allegedly took to manufacturing illegal guns. He was arrested for possessing the weapon without a valid licence or permit. Police warned that manufacturing or possessing illegal firearms is a punishable offence and said stringent action would be taken against violators.

In a separate case, the Shivamogga additional district and sessions court sentenced four persons to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment each and imposed a total fine of Rs 1.85 lakh in a child marriage and sexual assault case involving a minor girl. The case involved a 27-year-old man from Shivamogga taluk who befriended a 17-year-old girl in 2024, entered into a child marriage with her, and sexually assaulted her. The investigation was led by then Kumsi police inspector Harish K Patil, and public prosecutor Sridhar argued for the prosecution. The court also directed payment of Rs 4 lakh compensation to the survivor.

In another initiative, Agumbe police helped construct a house for an elderly woman living in a plastic-sheet covered shelter without basic facilities. Sub-inspector Shivanagouda Patil learned of her condition during a house-to-house outreach programme and coordinated with the Shivamogga district police and the Agumbe Lions Club to build a permanent home, named ‘Lions Kutira’, which was handed over by superintendent of police B Nikhil.

In the T Narasipura taluk of Mysuru, the bodies of three members of the same family were found with nooses around their necks in the village of Kempayyanahundi. The deceased are identified as Shivanna, the father, Nagarathna, the mother, and Rakshita, the daughter. A death note was recovered from the scene, which seriously accuses Ullas Gowda, a resident of the same village, of harassing them. According to the police, the family took this extreme step due to the harassment by Ullas Gowda, who had been troubling Rakshita over a message and some photos she had sent to a youth whose marriage had been fixed with her. The police have launched an investigation into the incident and are currently examining the scene. The T Narasipura police are conducting further investigations.

Mysuru is set to expand its fire response network with new stations planned as the city grows into Greater Mysuru, improving emergency response and strengthening fire safety infrastructure. The recent fire mishap at a resto-bar in Mysuru city, which claimed the lives of two people and left seven others injured, has highlighted the importance of fire stations and the need for more. Currently, Mysuru has three fire stations, and with the government issuing a notification to upgrade Mysuru City Corporation as the Greater Mysuru City Corporation, it is set to expand by merging several town and grama panchayats, increasing the need for additional infrastructure.

Regional Fire Officer P Chandan stated that Mysuru city has three fire stations – Saraswathipuram, Bannimantap, and Hebbal, besides a separate squad and fire unit at the Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran. The Karnataka State government has announced three more fire stations for Mysuru city in the budget. Two of the proposed fire stations have been approved – near JP Nagar Ring Road and at Kadakola – with construction works having started at Kadakola. A proposal for another fire station at Yelwal has also been submitted. Proposals have been submitted for fire stations at Virajpet in Kodagu district and Yelandur and MM Hills in Chamarajanagar district, with one in Alur taluk, Hassan district, having been completed and inaugurated recently.

According to the norms by the Standing Fire Advisory Council, there should be one fire station for every 10-km in urban areas and 50 km in rural areas. Establishing additional fire stations will help meet these standards. Each fire station comprises 60 personnel, with each fire tender vehicle requiring six people, and there are three vehicles in each station. The personnel work in three shifts, and at present, there is no shortage, with the department being totally prepared to tackle the situation across Mysuru range, be it fire mishap or monsoon disasters.

Additional Deputy Commissioner R Aishwarya directed officials to ensure a smooth and lapse-free conduct of the NEET UG re-exam in Mysuru. Chairing a preparatory meeting, she stated that the re-examination will be held on June 21 at 21 centres in the city, with 7,886 students set to appear. NEET exam coordinator Mithilesh Kumar said the exam will be held from 2pm to 5pm. Frisking and biometric verification will begin at 11am, and entry will be allowed only till 1.30pm. There will be no entry after 1.30pm, he said. Police bandobast will be provided, with one police circle inspector, three male and two female personnel deployed at each centre, he added. Aishwarya directed Mysuru City Corporation officials to ensure cleanliness around centres, and instructed the health department to deploy staff to address any health issues faced by candidates. She said KSRTC should arrange additional buses to help students reach centres on time. She also directed CESC to ensure an uninterrupted power supply and called for wheelchairs and basic facilities for differently abled candidates.