The Karnataka government, led by Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, has officially declared 101 taluks across the state as drought-affected. This decision follows a comprehensive assessment of crop conditions and rainfall deficits throughout the region. Dr. Parameshwara stated that the government is actively monitoring the situation, and a review scheduled for the next 15 days may result in additional taluks being added to the drought-hit list.
To address the immediate needs of farmers and rural populations, the state is preparing a detailed memorandum to be submitted to the Union Government by the first week of September. The state’s primary priorities include ensuring the availability of drinking water, providing adequate fodder for livestock, and generating local employment to prevent distress migration. Karnataka has also emphasized the necessity of prompt intervention, recalling the challenges faced during the 2023 drought when significant delays in relief disbursement forced the state to approach the Supreme Court. The government is committed to transparently calculating compensation per acre and is currently awaiting the release of its share under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Officials have urged the central government to ensure a swift assessment and release of funds to support the affected communities effectively.
