Karnataka to Declare 102 Taluks Drought-Hit After Cabinet Deliberations
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is set to declare 102 taluks as drought-hit at the next meeting of the State Cabinet, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said on Monday. The announcement comes amid one of the worst rainfall deficiencies recorded in the state since 1976.
Addressing the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Parameshwara, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, said the ground-truthing exercise for the 102 taluks has been completed and they are now eligible for declaration. “Several legislators have been demanding immediate declaration of affected taluks. However, the Centre’s Drought Manual issued in 2020 does not allow such immediate action. We have completed the ground-truthing exercise for 102 taluks eligible to be declared drought-hit. They will be declared drought-hit after discussions at the next Cabinet meeting, following which a memorandum will be submitted to the Centre seeking drought assistance,” he explained.
The Deputy Chief Minister noted that ground-truthing would be extended to the remaining taluks in the coming days. Of the state’s 240 taluks, 175 are facing a rainfall deficit, and 14 are experiencing a severe deficit. He alleged that several parameters in the Centre’s Drought Manual are not favourable to farmers and said the state has appealed to the Centre to relax these norms. He urged Opposition parties to support the state’s demand by taking up the matter with the central government.
Providing rainfall data, Mr. Parameshwara said Karnataka received cumulative rainfall of only 454 mm between June 1 and August 24, against the normal 654 mm, marking an overall deficit of 31%. Region-wise, the deficit stands at 31% in North Interior Karnataka, 41% in South Interior Karnataka, 35% in the Malnad region, and 24% in the coastal region.
The Deputy Chief Minister warned that tougher times lie ahead. Satellite-based weather forecasts indicate that Karnataka will continue to face rainfall deficiency during the remaining part of August and in September as well. Although recent spells of rain have led to some inflows into reservoirs, total storage currently stands at only 679.6 tmcft compared with 790 tmcft during the corresponding period last year. Storage in minor irrigation tanks and Zilla Panchayat tanks is negligible, he added.
On the drinking water situation, Mr. Parameshwara said tankers are supplying water to 758 villages and 114 urban wards. The government estimates that 2,059 villages could face drinking water shortages next summer if conditions worsen, and preparations are underway. He asserted that there is no shortage of funds for drought relief, with ₹306 crore already released to ensure drinking water supply.
The drought has also affected agricultural operations. Only 71% of the targeted area has been sown so far—about 60 lakh hectares against the target of 84.10 lakh hectares. The sown crops are vulnerable due to prolonged dry spells. Pointing to severe groundwater stress in 132 taluks, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government is taking supportive measures and appealed to the public to prioritise groundwater conservation.
