Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide Rs 1,852 crore as interim assistance for drought relief, as the number of drought-affected taluks in the state has risen to 177.
In a letter to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, Shivakumar said the drought situation had further deteriorated since the state submitted its Kharif 2026 drought memorandum seeking Rs 3,705.3 crore for immediate relief measures in 101 drought-declared taluks.
The additional 76 taluks have subsequently been declared drought-affected in accordance with the parameters prescribed under the Manual for Drought Management, 2020.
Shivakumar said Karnataka had experienced a substantial rainfall deficit during the South-West Monsoon, which is critical for Kharif agriculture, reservoir replenishment, hydropower generation, fodder availability and groundwater recharge.
He warned that the deteriorating rainfall and moisture conditions could result in crop losses exceeding 40 lakh hectares. Low reservoir storage, particularly in the Cauvery basin, has also emerged as a major concern, with potential implications for drinking water supplies in Bengaluru and neighbouring districts in the coming months.
The Chief Minister requested that 50% of the Rs 3,705.3 crore memorandum amount, or Rs 1,852 crore, be released as interim financial assistance pending completion of the assessment and approval process by the Centre.
He also sought the advance release of the Centre's share of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to strengthen the state's resources for immediate relief.
According to Shivakumar, the assistance would be used for input subsidies to compensate for crop losses, drinking water supply, livestock protection and other essential drought-relief measures.
The demand for relief has also triggered political pressure on the state government. Karnataka BJP president and Shikaripura MLA B Y Vijayendra urged the Chief Minister to waive farm loans of up to Rs 5 lakh and announce compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre for affected farmers.
Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Aravind Bellad criticised the government's handling of the drought during a debate, alleging that inadequate assistance was reaching farmers. He cited government figures on fodder support and drought relief and questioned spending priorities.