BENGALURU, October 3, 2026: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has sought ₹3,705.30 crore in drought relief from the Centre, citing severe hardship faced by farmers and the wider public across the state. The demand was made during a meeting with a Central Inter-Ministerial Drought Assessment Team that is conducting a three-day assessment of the situation in Karnataka.
The Central team, headed by Ajit Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary in the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry, is visiting drought-affected areas to assess conditions on the ground and collect information before preparing its report. The assessment will form part of the process for considering the state’s request for assistance under National Disaster Response Fund norms.
217 Taluks Declared Drought-Hit
According to the Karnataka government, 217 of the state’s 240 taluks have now been declared drought-affected following scientific assessments conducted under the applicable disaster-management guidelines. The expansion of affected areas has increased pressure on the state government to secure additional financial resources for immediate relief measures.
The state had initially submitted its Kharif 2026 Drought Memorandum seeking ₹3,705.30 crore for 101 drought-hit taluks. As conditions worsened, additional taluks were subsequently brought under the drought-affected category. In September, Shivakumar had also urged the Centre to release 50%
The state government has said that the requested funds are intended to support measures including assistance for crop losses, drinking-water supply and protection of livestock.
Farmers Face Growing Pressure
Shivakumar told the Central assessment team that farmers were facing significant difficulties because of the drought. He also pointed to challenges for sugarcane growers and milk producers, with farmers seeking better returns for agricultural produce and dairy producers seeking an increase in milk prices.
The Chief Minister also said that water inflows into reservoirs across much of Karnataka remained low, with the Krishna basin being an exception. According to the state government, the Malnad and coastal regions have also experienced rainfall deficits. Urban areas have faced water shortages, adding another dimension to the drought situation.
Karnataka has already announced ₹2,500 in relief for farmers, according to Shivakumar, but the state government is seeking additional Central assistance to expand relief operations.
Water Availability Remains a Concern
Reservoir levels have emerged as a major concern, particularly in the Cauvery basin. Earlier, Shivakumar had warned that low storage could affect drinking-water availability in Bengaluru and surrounding districts during the coming months. He also said the rainfall deficit could affect agriculture, power generation, fodder availability and groundwater recharge.
The state’s water-management challenges have also extended to the Cauvery system. Karnataka has sought approval to reduce its mandated daily water release to Tamil Nadu amid declining reservoir levels and drought conditions, according to reporting published on October 3.
Central Team Begins Ground Assessment
The Central assessment team has said it will tour affected areas, examine available data and assess conditions before submitting an objective report. The final relief amount, if any, will depend on the assessment and the applicable approval process.
The drought assessment therefore marks an important stage in Karnataka’s request for Central assistance. With hundreds of taluks classified as drought-affected and concerns spanning agriculture, drinking water and livestock, the state government is seeking financial support while the Centre’s assessment process proceeds.
