Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Karnataka Seeks Revised Drought Aid as Central Teams Assess Damage
Karnataka has had too little rain, making it hard for farmers and other residents.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar asked the central government for drought-relief money.
The state first sought Rs 3,705.30 crore and later made a revised request for Rs 7,142.64 crore.
Reports differ on how many areas have been formally declared drought-hit: 217 taluks were identified, while 177 were officially declared affected.
Central government teams are visiting parts of Karnataka for three days to check conditions and losses.
State officials told them about damaged crops, low water supplies and shortages.
The state has also given different estimates of the total damage in the reports.
The teams will gather information and prepare an assessment.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar sought Rs 7,142.64 crore from the Centre in a revised drought-relief demand; an earlier request was Rs 3,705.30 crore.
The state said 217 of its 240 taluks were identified as drought-affected, while 177 were officially declared drought-hit.
Central assessment teams led by Ajit Kumar Sahu are conducting a three-day review, visiting regions to verify conditions and collect information.
State officials described rainfall deficits, crop losses, low reservoir inflows and shortages of drinking water and livestock fodder.
The state cited estimated losses of Rs 46,324.50 crore in one report; another put overall damage at Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 60,000 crore.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, state officials and Central Inter-Ministerial drought assessment teams led by Ajit Kumar Sahu.
- What
- Shivakumar sought drought relief from the Centre, with a reported revised request of Rs 7,142.64 crore after an earlier request of Rs 3,705.30 crore; central teams are assessing conditions and losses.
- When
- The meeting was held on a Saturday; the assessment teams are visiting for three days. One report is dated October 3.
- Where
- Bengaluru and drought-affected regions across Karnataka.
- Why
- The state says rainfall deficits have caused hardship, crop losses and shortages of water and fodder.
State's account
Central assessment
Relief request and damage estimates
State's account
Karnataka is seeking central drought relief, with one report giving a revised request of Rs 7,142.64 crore and state damage estimates ranging from Rs 46,324.50 crore to Rs 50,000–60,000 crore.
Central assessment
The Central teams said they would assess conditions on the ground, collect state data and submit an objective report; the articles do not report a final central decision on aid.
Drought declarations
State's account
The state said 217 of 240 taluks had been identified as drought-affected.
Central assessment
The revised-demand report said 177 taluks had been officially declared drought-hit; it does not explain the distinction between identification and official declaration.
- Revised relief request
- Rs 7,142.64 crore, as reported in the revised-demand article.
- Earlier relief request
- Rs 3,705.30 crore under National Disaster Response Fund norms.
- Taluks
- 217 of 240 were identified as drought-affected; 177 were said to be officially declared drought-hit.
- Assessment
- Central teams are conducting a three-day, on-the-ground review.
- Team leader
- Ajit Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary in the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry.
- Loss estimates
- One report cites Rs 46,324.50 crore; another estimates overall damage at Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 60,000 crore.
- State farmer relief
- Shivakumar said the state had announced Rs 2,500 in relief for farmers.
