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’31 lakh families suffering’: Kharge turns to Modi as Karnataka reels from drought

"The situation is extremely grim for the state and that is why I am writing this letter seeking to bring some salient points to your personal attention," the Congress leader wrote.

South First Desk

Published Oct 03, 2026 | 1:26 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 03, 2026 | 1:52 PM

’31 lakh families suffering’: Kharge turns to Modi as Karnataka reels from drought

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Prime Minister Narendra Modi

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Synopsis: Kharge noted that the rainfall deficiency in the state is 58 per cent as of September this year and all the 31 districts have been hit. The Karnataka government had classified 217 of the state’s 240 talukas as drought hit on October 1.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday, 3 October, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention amid the severe drought affecting Karnataka.

Addressing Modi, Kharge wrote: “As you would already be aware, Karnataka is in the grip of a severe drought which may probably turn out to be the worst drought seen in the last 150 years. The state suffered a very severe drought just three years ago, in 2023, which was the worst in the last 124 years. Facing two such severe droughts in a matter of three years can be extremely difficult even for a state like Karnataka without any central assistance in the times of such natural disasters.”

Noting that the rainfall deficiency in the state is 58 per cent as of September this year and all the 31 districts have been hit by the failed monsoons, Kharge added, “Out of 240 talukas, 217 face rainfall deficiency; 101 talukas have already been declared drought-hit and 116 talukas are currently being assessed.”

“The situation is extremely grim for the state, and that is why I am writing this letter seeking to bring some salient points to your personal attention,” the Congress leader wrote.

Also Read: Karnataka DyCM G Parameshwara urges Centre to raise drought relief as crop losses touch Rs 27,576 crore

Losses estimated at ₹40,000 crore, 31 lakh families hit

Highlighting the losses due to the rainfall deficit, Kharge wrote: “The State has recorded its second-lowest South-West Monsoon rainfall and crop losses extending over 19.52 lakh hectares have been assessed at ₹18,748.23 crore. Overall economic loss due to the drought is estimated to be about ₹40,000 crore as per the government.”

“More than 31 lakh farming families now face the loss of their livelihoods, drinking water is being supplied by tanker to 709 villages and 114 urban wards, and fodder reserves in 18 taluks will last less than twenty weeks. The distress in the State is acute, and it is deepening with every weekly assessment. The State Government has committed substantial sums from its own funds, but these cannot by themselves match the scale of the calamity.”

Kharge requested the immediate and complete release of the Central financial assistance of ₹3,705.30 crore sought by the State Government from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). “Each week of delay compounds the hardship of those least able to bear it, and relief that arrives only after the season’s losses have been absorbed would defeat its very purpose,” he added.

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Six requests to Prime Minister Modi

Mallikarjun Kharge then made six specific requests to the Prime Minister. They are:

  • Immediate assessment: A Central team should be deputed specifically to visit Kalyana Karnataka without further delay to verify the drought damage on the ground.
  • Release ₹3,705.30 crore: Sanction and release the full amount sought by Karnataka under NDRF and SDRF norms without arbitrary reduction.
  • Protect small and marginal farmers: Calculate input subsidy on the basis of Karnataka’s updated Bhoomi land records rather than the outdated 2015 to 16 Agriculture Census, so that no genuinely eligible farmer is excluded.
  • Complete drought declarations urgently: Treat the 11 additional taluks presently undergoing Ground Truthing, along with any further qualifying taluks, as part of a single continuing drought event for Central assistance.
  • Support drinking water security: Provide enhanced support for drinking water security and the cost of substitute power, particularly in view of historically low reservoir levels in the Cauvery and hydel catchments.
  • Ensure fair and urgent assistance: Release assistance to Karnataka on merit and with utmost urgency, uninfluenced by political considerations, keeping in mind the scale of distress confronting over 31 lakh farming families across the State.

(Edited by Sumavarsha)

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