States » SouthPosted at: Oct 3 2026 11:29AM


Karnataka seeks Rs 3,705 cr Centre aid as drought grips 217 taluks

Bengaluru, Oct 3 (UNI) Karnataka on Saturday sought Rs 3,705.30 crore in drought relief from the Centre as a Central assessment team began a three-day visit to the state to assess the severity of the situation across 217 of its 240 taluks declared drought-hit.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who met the Central Inter-Ministerial Team led by union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry Joint Secretary Ajit Kumar Sahu here, urged the Centre to provide relief as per the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms.
He sought a fair and just relief package, saying the state had scientifically assessed the drought situation and declared the affected taluks strictly in accordance with the Centre's disaster management guidelines.
The scale of the drought has raised concerns over water availability, with Shivakumar saying inflows into most reservoirs had declined, barring the Krishna basin. Malnad and coastal Karnataka, traditionally high-rainfall regions, too had witnessed a severe rainfall deficit.
The crisis has also reached urban areas, with several cities facing water shortages, he said.
"Farmers are in severe distress. If farmers are in distress, everything comes to a standstill. The Centre should come to the aid of Karnataka's farmers," Shivakumar told the Central team.
The state has already announced Rs 2,500 relief for farmers, but is seeking greater Central assistance, he said.
Shivakumar said the drought had compounded pressures on the farm economy, with sugarcane growers seeking higher prices and milk producers demanding an increase of at least Rs 10.
Responding to the state's demand, Sahu assured that the Central team would tour the affected areas for three days, assess the ground situation and collect relevant data from state government officials before submitting an objective report.
The Central team's assessment is expected to provide the basis for further consideration of Karnataka's demand for drought assistance.
Shivakumar also pointed to the wider water stress confronting Karnataka, saying the state was facing pressure over Cauvery water releases even as its own reservoirs recorded poor inflows.
He called for the Centre and state governments to work together to address the crisis and provide relief to farmers and people affected by the drought.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Karnataka seeks Rs 3#705 cr Centre aid as drought grips 217 taluks
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