Karnataka to Decide on Drought Declaration by August End, Says CM Shivakumar
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday stated that the state will decide on declaring drought in rain-deficient regions by the end of August. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him of a meeting after the ongoing Parliament session.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister disclosed that Karnataka has so far received only 35% of its normal rainfall. This deficit has triggered concerns across several districts, particularly in the southern and central parts of the state.
Shivakumar outlined the process for identifying drought-hit areas. The Revenue Department will prepare a list of taluks based on the norms of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Ministers will submit ground reports, which will be compiled by the Revenue Department. The final assessment will then be discussed in the state Cabinet before being submitted to the government. "Declaring drought-hit regions will be decided by August end," he said.
The Chief Minister noted that though the catchment areas of the Cauvery and its tributaries have been receiving rainfall, several key regions, including Mandya, Mysuru, and Bengaluru, have not received adequate precipitation. This uneven distribution has added to the complexity of the assessment.
On the issue of central assistance, Shivakumar said he had appealed to the Prime Minister for time, and the latter has assured him of an appointment. "Let the Parliament session end, and by then the rain situation is expected to improve," he added.
When asked whether an all-party delegation would be taken to the Centre and if the central government would come to the state's rescue, the Chief Minister emphasised the importance of the federal structure. "We are working in a federal structure. For some reasons, all-party delegations could not be taken in the past," he said.
The announcement comes amid rising political debate over the state's handling of drought and water-sharing issues. Earlier, opposition leader H.D. Kumaraswamy had accused the state government of failing to tackle the drought effectively. The Janata Dal (Secular) has also said it will attend an all-party meeting on the Cauvery crisis.
Experts note that timely and transparent assessment is critical, as drought declaration can unlock relief funds and other support from the central government. The NDRF norms require detailed data on rainfall deficiency, crop loss, and water availability before a region can be officially declared drought-hit.
The state's agriculture and drinking water sectors remain under stress, and farmers in several districts have already begun demanding immediate relief measures. The government's decision, expected by the end of August, will be closely watched for its impact on rural livelihoods and the broader political landscape.
