Karnataka seeks ₹7,143 crore Central aid for drought relief

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara at a consultation meeting with the Centre’s Inter-Ministerial Central Team in Bengaluru on Saturday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement According to the memorandums, the estimated drought-related losses across the 177 affected taluks stand at ₹46,324.50 crore. | Photo Credit: File photo The Karnataka government has sought ₹7,142.64 crore in financial assistance from the Centre for drought relief and mitigation measures following crop losses during the 2026 kharif season.The State had initially sought ₹3,705.30 crore for 101 drought-affected taluks. It subsequently submitted a supplementary memorandum seeking an additional ₹3,437.34 crore after another 76 taluks were declared drought-affected, taking the total to 177 taluks. Ground verification is under way in 40 more taluks, which are also likely to be declared drought-affected.Discussions with teamChief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday held discussions with the Centre’s Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), which is visiting Karnataka to assess the drought situation and crop losses. The State presented details of the damage and its financial requirements and submitted the memorandums to the team, which is scheduled to conduct on-the-spot assessments in the affected areas.According to the memorandums, the estimated drought-related losses across the 177 affected taluks stand at ₹46,324.50 crore. The State has sought ₹7,142.64 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for relief and mitigation measures.The first memorandum, covering 101 taluks, sought ₹3,705.30 crore, including ₹2,017.26 crore for agriculture, ₹583.04 crore for animal husbandry, ₹805 crore for drinking water supply, and ₹300 crore towards gratuitous relief. The estimated losses in these taluks were pegged at ₹18,748.23 crore.The supplementary memorandum covering the additional 76 taluks seeks ₹3,437.34 crore, comprising ₹2,981.34 crore towards agricultural input subsidy and ₹456 crore for drinking water supply. The estimated losses in these taluks stand at ₹27,576.22 crore.Crop damageCrop damage in the additional 76 taluks was reported over 27.57 lakh hectares, including 26.08 lakh hectares of agricultural crops and 1.49 lakh hectares of horticultural crops. Red gram was the worst-affected agricultural crop, with damage reported over 6.49 lakh hectares, followed by maize (5.31 lakh hectares), cotton (4.13 lakh hectares), sugarcane (2.80 lakh hectares), soybean (1.90 lakh hectares), and green gram (1.81 lakh hectares).Among horticultural crops, onion accounted for 0.54 lakh hectares of damage, followed by arecanut (0.33 lakh hectares) and red chilli (0.17 lakh hectares).In the first phase, crop damage was reported over 19.52 lakh hectares across the 101 taluks, comprising 17.85 lakh hectares of agricultural crops and 1.67 lakh hectares of horticultural, plantation and perennial crops. Major crops affected included maize, ragi, red gram, and cotton, while onion, coconut, and turmeric were among the worst-affected horticultural crops.Extent of rain deficitThe supplementary memorandum noted that Karnataka received 495 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 16, against the normal 766 mm, representing a 35% deficit. The shortfall was 47% in South Interior Karnataka, 42% in North Interior Karnataka, 37% in Malnad, and 27% in coastal Karnataka.Little help from rainResponding to a question on whether the rainfall received in some parts of the State over the past few days could affect the Central team’s assessment, Mr. Parameshwara said the team would take the recent rainfall into account, but clarified that it would have no significant impact on the crop losses already suffered.Rainfall over the past two or three days will not benefit crops that have already been damaged. Nor has there been enough rain to resolve drinking water concerns. Apart from helping some grass grow in a few places, the recent rainfall offers little benefit, he said. Published - October 03, 2026 07:59 pm IST