States » SouthPosted at: Sep 20 2026 3:03PM


200-plus Karnataka taluks may be declared drought-hit: DCM Parameshwara

Bengaluru, Sept 20 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday said more than 200 taluks in the state were likely to be declared drought-hit in phases based on satellite data, ground verification and parameters prescribed by the Centre.
He said drought declaration was governed by Central guidelines, under which satellite imagery and data were collected and analysed against prescribed parameters before qualifying taluks were declared drought-hit.
"All taluks cannot be declared drought-hit at one go. The process will continue in phases till the end of the monsoon," Dr Parameshwara said.
He said 101 taluks had been declared drought-hit in the first phase, followed by another 24, while 52 more taluks were expected to be declared drought-hit in the next three to four days. Another 50 taluks would subsequently be considered after ground verification.
"Based on the data available to us, I estimate that more than 200 taluks could eventually be declared drought-hit," he said, adding that Jagalur too was likely to be included in the list within a week.
Dr Parameshwara appealed to farmers and people in other taluks not to panic if their areas had not yet been declared drought-hit, saying the process was still underway.
He said the government had called a three-day special session of the state legislature from Monday to discuss the drought situation and the Kasturirangan report.
The government had already submitted a memorandum to the Centre and would seek the cooperation of the Opposition to take an all-party delegation to New Delhi to press for a farm loan waiver and release of funds under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), he said.
He said the government had estimated losses of Rs 18,000 crore in the 101 drought-hit taluks and had sought Rs 3,500 crore from the Centre in its first memorandum. Further memoranda would be submitted based on the assessment of losses in subsequent phases.
"Last year, the losses were estimated at Rs 39,000 crore and we sought Rs 18,000 crore, but received only Rs 3,400 crore. This time, we will have to see how far the Centre responds," he said.
Recalling the farm loan waiver announced by the previous UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh, Dr Parameshwara urged the Centre to consider a nationwide farm loan waiver and extend relief to farmers.
He alleged that Karnataka had not been receiving its due share of Central funds and cited the Jal Jeevan Mission, saying the state was still awaiting around Rs 17,000 crore.
On the removal of a statue resembling Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Kalaburagi, Dr Parameshwara said the matter had to be dealt with according to law.
"If permission was not obtained, there are rules and the law is equal for everyone. If it was erected without following the rules, it can be removed," he said.
He added that any decision on reconsidering the matter rested with the Kalaburagi municipal corporation.
UNI BDN
Tags: #200-plus Karnataka taluks may be declared drought-hit: DCM Parameshwara
More News

Nikhil Heart Institute inaugurated in Hyderabad

20 Sep 2026 | 4:00 PM

Hyderabad, Sep 20 (UNI) Former Lok Sabha MP G. Ranjith Reddy on Sunday inaugurated the Nikhil Heart Institute (NHI), a new Centre of Excellence for advanced cardiac and neuro-interventional care at Nikhil Hospitals, Srinagar Colony.

see more..

Vice-President CPR to visit TN tomorrow, security tightened, flying of drones, UAVs banned

20 Sep 2026 | 3:59 PM

Chennai, Sep 20 (UNI) Vice President C.P.Radhakrishnan will be on a day's visit to Tamil Nadu tomorrow.

see more..

Karnataka Legislature House set for agenda showdown

20 Sep 2026 | 3:49 PM

Bengaluru, Sept 20 (UNI) The Karnataka Legislature's three-day sitting beginning Monday is set to open with a battle over the scope of the House, with the government seeking to keep the proceedings focused on drought, farmers' issues and the Kasturirangan report, while the Opposition is preparing to push a wider range of issues onto the floor.

see more..

Cong delegation inspects Aziznagar lands, questions KCR family assets

20 Sep 2026 | 3:34 PM

Hyderabad, Sep 20 (UNI) A delegation of Congress public representatives on Sunday inspected lands and farmhouses in Aziznagar and Moinabad, allegedly linked to former BRS minister T Harish Rao and other BRS leaders, and questioned the source and disclosure of their assets.

see more..

Chennai hospital delivers first Water birth, says a step towards conscious, respectful birthing

20 Sep 2026 | 3:29 PM

Chennai, Sep 20 (UNI) The Chennai-based Vidhai Birthing Centre and Hospital has delivered the first ever water birth--woman delivering a baby in pool of warm water.

see more..