DK Shivakumar writes to PM, seeks 50% central aid amid Karnataka drought

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to release 50 per cent of the state’s drought relief memorandum amount as interim financial assistance, saying the situation has worsened across the state.

In his letter, Shivakumar said Karnataka had already sought Rs 3,705.30 crore on September 10 for immediate drought relief measures in 101 drought-declared taluks. He said the drought had since intensified, with 76 more taluks now declared drought-affected, taking the total to 177.

Shivakumar said the additional declaration was based on a scientific assessment under the parameters prescribed in the Manual for Drought Management, 2020. “This brings the total number of drought-affected taluks to 177,” he said, adding that the number could cross 200 by the end of the 2026 Southwest Monsoon season.

He said losses and damage in the newly declared drought-hit taluks were being assessed, and an additional memorandum seeking assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund would be submitted after the process is completed.

The Chief Minister said the Southwest Monsoon is Karnataka’s main rainfall season and that rainfall during June to August is crucial not only for Kharif agriculture but also for replenishing reservoirs, generating hydropower, ensuring fodder availability and recharging groundwater.

“The substantial rainfall deficit experienced during the current monsoon season has, therefore, had a cascading impact across these sectors,” he said.

He also expressed concern over low reservoir storage, especially in the Cauvery basin, saying it could affect drinking water availability in Bengaluru and adjoining districts in the coming months.

Shivakumar said that with the Southwest Monsoon in its final phase and the state continuing to face a substantial cumulative rainfall deficit, the drought situation was likely to worsen further in the coming months and become more acute during summer.

He said the continuing decline in rainfall and moisture conditions could lead to large-scale crop losses, potentially exceeding 40 lakh hectares.

The Chief Minister noted that an Inter-Ministerial Central Team was proposed to visit the state for a first-hand assessment of the losses and damage. He said the process involved placing the team’s report before the Sub-Committee of the National Executive Committee, followed by consideration of its recommendations by the High-Level Committee.

“While this established process provides for a comprehensive and robust assessment, it is necessarily time-consuming, particularly in the context of a rapidly evolving drought situation,” he said.

Seeking immediate support, Shivakumar asked PM Modi to release 50 per cent of the memorandum amount as interim assistance pending completion of the assessment and approval process. He said this would help the state take up urgent relief measures, including input subsidy for crop losses, drinking water supply, livestock protection and other essential interventions.

He also requested the Centre to release in advance its share of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund to strengthen the state’s resources for timely drought relief.