State of Distress:CM DK Shivakumar inspects a drought-hit sunflower field in Bagalkot district Friday
Bengaluru/Bagalkot: Karnataka may nearly double its drought-hit taluks from 101 to around 200 by the end of Sept as drought conditions worsen amid severe water stress and little prospect of rainfall. The sub-committee reviewed the 2026 monsoon, drought conditions and other natural calamities, and noted that rainfall in Sept is likely to remain below normal, based on India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts. Eshwar Khandre, rural development and panchayat raj minister and a member of the sub-committee, told TOI that the number of drought-hit taluks could rise to between 180 and 200 by the end of Sept. “The existing 101 taluks were declared drought-hit based on NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) guidelines. Speaking at Kudalasangama in Bagalkot district, Shivakumar said Karnataka had recorded a 42-43% rainfall deficit so far.
Because they had received average rainfall, many other taluks could not make it to the list at the time.
However, with scanty rainfall over the past few days and a weak monsoon forecast for the rest of the month, several other taluks are now eligible to be declared drought-hit,” Khandre said. After scientifically assessing rainfall, the deficit and other parameters, we’ll expand the list of drought-hit taluks in a phased manner,” the CM said. His statement came a day after a cabinet sub-committee resolved to expand the list by adding more districts by the end of this month. “Barring a few catchment areas, monsoon has not been favourable to Karnataka. it is no different in parts of north Karnataka, as I have observed during my tour over the past few days While the situation in some districts is severe. We’ve been assessing the regions through both aerial surveys and ground inspections, as per the Centre’s guidelines.
Karnataka recorded a 32% rainfall deficit during the southwest monsoon period from June to Sept, according to Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre data. “Among Karnataka’s meteorological regions, the south-interior districts have been hit worst, with a rainfall deficit of 44%, followed by north-interior Karnataka districts with 36% and Malnad (Western Ghats) districts with 35% deficit. The situation in coastal Karnataka is also alarming, with the three districts recording a 24% rainfall deficit this monsoon,” a revenue official said.
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