Published Sep 24, 2026 | 10:01 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 24, 2026 | 10:01 AM
Shivakumar said the worsening rainfall and moisture conditions could also lead to crop losses exceeding 40 lakh hectares.
Synopsis: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release 50 percent of the State’s ₹3,705.30-crore drought relief memorandum as interim assistance amid worsening drought conditions. He noted that a total of 177 taluks have been declared drought affected, with more than 200 expected to be declared affected by the end of the South-West Monsoon, while crop losses could exceed 40 lakh hectares.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release 50 percent of the State’s ₹3,705.30-crore drought relief memorandum as interim financial assistance, citing the worsening drought situation across the State.
In a letter on Wednesday, 23 September, Shivakumar said Karnataka had declared 76 more taluks drought-affected, taking the total number to 177. He said more than 200 taluks could ultimately be declared drought-affected by the end of the South-West Monsoon 2026 season.
The State had submitted its Kharif 2026 Drought Memorandum seeking ₹3,705.30 crore for immediate relief measures for 101 drought-declared taluks on 10 September.
“The drought situation has further aggravated across the State,” Shivakumar said in the letter.
“In view of the severity and progressive intensification of the drought situation, it is therefore requested that 50% of memorandum amount be released as interim financial assistance, pending completion of the prescribed assessment and approval process.”
He said the additional 76 taluks were declared drought-affected following a scientific assessment carried out under the parameters prescribed in the Manual for Drought Management, 2020.
The losses and damages in the newly declared taluks are being assessed, after which Karnataka will submit an additional memorandum seeking financial assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
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Shivakumar said the South-West Monsoon was Karnataka’s principal rainfall season and that rainfall during June to August was critical for Kharif agriculture, reservoir replenishment, hydropower generation, fodder availability and groundwater recharge.
“The substantial rainfall deficit experienced during the current monsoon season has, therefore, had a cascading impact across these sectors,” he said.
He said low reservoir storage in the Cauvery basin could affect drinking water availability in Bengaluru and adjoining districts in the coming months.
“With the South-West Monsoon entering its final phase and the State continuing to experience substantial cumulative rainfall deficit, the drought situation is likely to further intensify during the coming months and become more acute during the summer season,” he said.
The worsening rainfall and moisture conditions could also lead to crop losses exceeding 40 lakh hectares, Shivakumar said.
The Chief Minister said an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) was proposed to visit Karnataka for a first-hand assessment of the losses and damages.
Its report would then be placed before the Sub-Committee of the National Executive Committee, whose recommendations would subsequently go before the High-Level Committee for consideration and approval.
While this process provides for a comprehensive assessment, it is time-consuming, Shivakumar said, while the drought situation was worsening.
He said the interim funds would allow the State to begin and sustain immediate relief measures, including input subsidy assistance for crop losses, drinking water supply, livestock protection and other drought-relief measures.
Shivakumar also asked the Centre to release in advance the Central share of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
