Bengaluru, Sep 2026 : Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release 50 per cent of the drought relief amount sought by the state as interim financial assistance, citing the worsening situation across the state.
In a letter to Modi, Shivakumar said Karnataka had initially submitted its Kharif 2026 Drought Memorandum seeking Rs 3,705.30 crore for immediate relief measures in 101 drought-declared taluks. Since then, the drought situation has deteriorated, prompting the state government to declare an additional 76 taluks drought-affected following a scientific assessment based on the parameters prescribed under the Manual for Drought Management.
With the latest additions, the total number of drought-affected taluks in Karnataka has risen to 177. Shivakumar said the number could cross 200 by the end of the South-West Monsoon 2026 season. Officials are currently assessing losses and damage in the newly declared areas, following which the state plans to submit an additional memorandum seeking assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of the South-West Monsoon to Karnataka's agriculture and water security. Rainfall during June-August is crucial for sustaining Kharif crops, replenishing reservoirs, supporting hydropower generation, ensuring fodder availability and recharging groundwater, he said.
According to Shivakumar, the substantial rainfall deficit this year has affected all these areas. He also expressed concern over low reservoir storage, particularly in the Cauvery basin, warning that this could affect drinking water availability in Bengaluru and neighbouring districts in the coming months.
With the monsoon entering its final phase, Shivakumar said the continuing rainfall deficit could further intensify drought conditions during the coming months and make the situation more severe during the summer.
The Chief Minister also warned of significant agricultural losses, saying crop damage could exceed 40 lakh hectares if the situation continues to deteriorate. The state is assessing the extent of damage in the newly declared drought-hit areas and will submit a supplementary memorandum once the exercise is completed.
Shivakumar pointed out that an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is proposed to visit Karnataka to undertake a first-hand assessment of losses and damage. The team's report would subsequently be placed before the Sub-Committee of the National Executive Committee, followed by consideration of its recommendations by the High-Level Committee.
However, the Chief Minister said the established assessment and approval mechanism could take considerable time, even as drought conditions were evolving rapidly.
"In view of the severity and progressive intensification of the drought situation," Shivakumar requested that 50 per cent of the amount sought in the memorandum be released as interim financial assistance pending completion of the prescribed assessment and approval process.
He said the interim assistance would allow the state government to immediately undertake relief measures, particularly input subsidy for crop losses, drinking water supply, livestock protection and other essential drought-relief interventions. The request for immediate aid comes as the state seeks to bridge the gap between the need for urgent assistance and the completion of the formal Central assessment process.
Shivakumar also requested the Centre to release in advance its share of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He said the additional resources would strengthen the state's capacity to undertake timely relief operations as the drought situation continues to evolve.
The Chief Minister's latest request follows the state's decision to expand the drought-affected area from the initial 101 taluks to 177. The state government has indicated that further declarations may follow depending on rainfall and ground-level assessments before the South-West Monsoon season concludes.
The Karnataka government has maintained that early availability of funds is necessary to support farmers and vulnerable communities while the formal process for assessing and approving Central assistance runs its course.
