Karnataka is facing a worsening drought situation with 177 taluks of the state being officially declared drought-affected after a long period of rainfall deficit. With the agricultural and water conditions deteriorating, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for assistance now to alleviate the crisis.
The Chief Minister wants 50 percent of the amount sought in the drought memorandum to be released as a temporary aid while the formal assessment and approval process is going on.
The request comes as the impact of the rainfall shortage is becoming visible across rural Karnataka. The deficit has affected agricultural activities, water availability, livestock and the wider rural economy.
According to the latest assessment of the Karnataka government, 53 additional taluks were declared drought-affected on September 22. Of these, 51 were classified as severely drought-affected and two were moderately affected. The declaration was made after scientific assessment and ground-truthing according to the provisions of the Manual for Drought Management, 2020.
The recent additions take the total number of drought-affected taluks to 177. There had already been 101 taluks identified under the first Kharif 2026 drought assessment and then more of them were brought into drought declaration as the situation got worse. The number could rise further over time as the assessment continues, officials said. The Karnataka government has said weekly monitoring for drought will be carried out during Kharif season and notifications will be issued if more taluks meet the criteria.
Shivakumar argued in his letter to the Prime Minister that waiting for the full assessment and approval process to be completed could delay relief at a time when affected communities need immediate assistance. The extra funding requested is for support in crop loss, drinking water supply, livestock protection and other critical drought-relief projects.
The state had initially submitted its Kharif 2026 drought memorandum seeking ₹3,705.30 crore in financial assistance for immediate relief measures in 101 drought-declared taluks. After further assessment, the drought declaration was expanded. Shivakumar has therefore sought 50 per cent of the memorandum amount as interim assistance, pending completion of the prescribed Central assessment and approval procedure.
The Chief Minister has also requested the advance release of the Central government's share of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). It would enhance Karnataka’s capacity to take relief measures so that the drought situation is not worse than it currently is as the state government’s request is to expand the SDRF. The SDRF is one of the mechanisms for states to respond to notified disasters and take such measures as eligible relief.
Water availability is also another major concern alongside agricultural losses. Long-term low rainfall impacts reservoir levels, groundwater recharge, and availability of drinking water in rural areas, and livestock to the worst of our knowledge are all factors which are even more pressing. As the drought strengthens, we have made drinking water arrangements and livestock protection a priority in the state government.
The drought declaration process has been informed by scientific assessment and ground-level verification. The government of India on September 22 stated that the other 53 taluks are classified according to the Manual for Drought Management and the severity of the drought is assessed. Deputy Commissioners in the declared taluks have been given the authority to take necessary drought response measures according to SDRF norms.
The situation is also indicative of the need for continued monitoring as Karnataka moves through the Kharif season. With the rain and moisture situation still a serious concern, officials will continue to assess crop and water supply. Agriculture and horticulture authorities and Deputy Commissioners of the state have been directed to conduct joint crop loss assessments in drought-affected areas to report problems and provide reports.
With Karnataka’s request for interim Central help now on the horizon, it is for the Centre’s response and the subsequent assessment process. The state is looking for immediate assistance to take care of immediate needs while the process of determining drought-related assistance is ongoing. For farmers, rural households and livestock-dependent communities, the timing of relief measures remains a critical issue at all stages of the drought situation.
The latest developments highlight the extent of rainfall-related distress in 2026 in Karnataka. There are 177 taluks that are officially drought-affected and the assessment is ongoing; the state government is seeking interim financial assistance and an advance release of SDRF funds to strengthen its response.
