Nine more taluks declared drought-hit in Karnataka; total rises to 226
Karnataka has declared nine additional taluks as drought-affected, bringing the state's total to 226. The government is currently preparing a memorandum to seek financial relief from the central government based on National Disaster Response Fund guidelines.
Why it matters
The widespread drought conditions pose a severe threat to the state's agricultural output and require urgent federal financial intervention.
Karnataka has declared nine more taluks drought-affected, taking the total to 226, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Wednesday (October 14, 2026). The State government is preparing a final memorandum detailing the losses and seeking drought relief from the Centre, which is expected to be ready within a week.
The nine newly added taluks are Sakleshpur in Hassan district, classified as severely drought-affected, and Khanapur in Belagavi, Hosanagara and Sagara in Shivamogga, Puttur, Moodbidri and Mulki in Dakshina Kannada, and Joida and Dandeli in Uttara Kannada, which have been classified as moderately drought-affected.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Parameshwara said field verification had been completed in the nine taluks. Assessment under the Trigger-1 criteria was still under way in some of the remaining taluks, and those meeting the prescribed conditions would be taken up for ground verification.
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