53 more taluks to be added to drought-affected list in Karnataka, taking total to 177

The Karnataka government will declare 53 more taluks as drought-affected, taking the number to 177 out of the total 240 taluks in the State, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Tuesday.

Initiating a discussion on drought conditions in the State, he told the Legislative Council that 20 to 30 more taluks are likely to be declared drought-affected. While in the first phase, 101 taluks were declared drought-affected, 23 were added in the second phase. “It is a continuous process. More taluks will be declared drought-affected as and when they conform to conditions in the Drought Manual of 2020,” he added.

Karnataka normally receives around 852 mm of rainfall, but only 642 mm has been recorded. Rainfall deficit has been reported in several regions from June to September 26, he informed the House.