States » SouthPosted at: Oct 4 2026 3:56PM


Central teams conduct reality check of Karnataka drought in 12 districts

Bengaluru, Oct 4 (UNI) A Central drought assessment team has begun a ground-level reality check of Karnataka's drought situation, visiting 12 districts to verify crop losses, water scarcity and the hardships faced by farmers before finalising its report to the Centre.
Three teams have been deployed for the assessment, with officials visiting drought-hit areas, examining damaged crops and interacting with district authorities and farmers.
The assessment comes against the backdrop of Karnataka's demand for substantial Central assistance to deal with widespread crop losses caused by deficient rainfall.
In Hassan, the Central team held an extensive meeting with Deputy Commissioner Latha Kumari at her office and obtained details of the drought situation, including crop damage and water availability.
The team, constituted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in coordination with the Karnataka government, is led by Dr Sudhi, Deputy Commissioner in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with three other members.
In Davanagere, a team headed by Ajit Kumar Sahu visited drought-hit areas and inspected maize and ragi crops. At Nirtani village, the officials examined fields where crops had suffered severe damage and assessed the impact of the rainfall deficit.
The team is scheduled to visit Vijayagara district next as part of the field assessment.
In Yadgir, another team visited Gundahalli and surrounding areas in Shahapur taluk, inspecting cotton, red gram and other crops. Officials spoke directly to farmers to ascertain the extent of damage, cultivation costs and losses caused by inadequate rainfall.
Deputy Commissioner Rahul accompanied the team and apprised it of the crop losses and difficulties faced by farmers.
The field visits are significant as the Central teams are verifying the State government's drought assessment on the ground rather than relying solely on official reports.
Karnataka has already submitted two proposals seeking about Rs 7,461 crore in drought assistance from the Centre under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
The State had undertaken its own assessment through district in-charge ministers, deputy commissioners and taluk-level officials before declaring drought-hit taluks. It is also conducting a ground assessment of another 23 taluks for possible inclusion in the drought-hit list.
The Central teams are expected to examine crop conditions, rainfall deficiency, water availability and the actual losses suffered by farmers before submitting their findings to the Centre.
The findings could prove decisive for Karnataka's relief claim, as the Centre's assessment will provide the basis for determining the extent of assistance the State may receive to tackle the drought and support affected farmers.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Central teams conduct reality check of Karnataka drought in 12 districts
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