Published Sep 25, 2026 | 11:41 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 25, 2026 | 11:41 AM
Drought-Representational image (iStock)
Synopsis: Karnataka has so far declared 177 taluks drought-hit, with the government indicating the number could cross 200 as assessments continue. The State has recorded an overall 36 percent rainfall deficit.
The Karnataka government has announced a ₹1,250-crore relief measure for drought-hit farmers, under which around 46–50 lakh farmers will receive a one-time input subsidy of ₹2,500 each, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G Parameshwara told the Assembly on Thursday 25 September.
The minister further stated that the assistance will be implemented immediately.
Banks have also agreed to a 12-month moratorium on repayment of Kisan Credit Card, agricultural and allied-sector loans in drought-hit taluks.
Repayment periods will be restructured to 36 months in moderately affected taluks and 60 months in severely affected taluks, with fresh need-based loans subject to lending norms.
Karnataka has so far declared 177 taluks drought-hit, with the government indicating the number could cross 200 as assessments continue. The State has recorded an overall 36 percent rainfall deficit.
For drinking-water relief, the government said ₹117 crore has been released, while another 189 crore has been provided through legislators. Drinking-water problems have been reported in 531 villages across 111 taluks and 81 wards in 15 urban local bodies.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responding to the debate in the Assembly, asked the opposition to join the delegation to Centre seeking loan waiver for farmers.
According to a TNIE report, Shivakumar said, “We must sustain our farmers amid the drought situation. Just as the Central government has waived loans worth lakhs of crores for industrialists, it should waive farmers’ loans as well. We are ready to bear the State’s share of the cost. I will seek an appointment with the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Let them be partners in sharing the burden. Even if we have to scrap four projects, I am ready. I don’t want confrontation, I want cooperation.”
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Earlier, 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).
Also Read: Amid worsening drought, Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar urges Centre to release ₹1,852 crore interim aid
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Keerthivas)
