Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G Parameshwara announced that crop losses from Karnataka's drought could reach ₹50,000-60,000 crore. According to reports from NDTV Profit, Parameshwara made these remarks on Saturday, stating that the state will seek relief under the Union Government's guidelines. As reported by ANI, Parameshwara has made an urgent appeal to the Central team, stating "We have written several letters to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Agriculture Minister. I have also written to the concerned Union Ministers. But not a single response has come so far. We request you to look into this and help us in taking the relief process forward." The Deputy CM emphasized that recent rainfall will not significantly benefit crops already damaged, with conditions prevailing during May, June, July, August and September being the determining factors for drought assessment.
As reported by NDTV Profit, assessment is currently underway in the 40 taluks declared drought-hit on October 1. Ground verification will also be carried out in 22 taluks not yet declared drought-affected, with Parameshwara indicating that this exercise may add one, two or three more taluks. According to ANI, Parameshwara revealed that he has personally visited around 10 to 15 districts and all district in-charge ministers were directed to visit every district and taluk under their responsibility. The newly added 40 taluks include Channapatna, Kanakapura, Harohalli, Jagalur, Piriyapatna, Kushtagi, Gokak, Ramdurg, Savadatti, Indi, Gadag, Mundargi, Ron, Dharwad, Kalghatgi, Kundgol, Shivamogga, Soraba, Thirthahalli, Chikkamagaluru, Kalasa, Madikeri, Kushalnagar, Belthangady, Bantwal, Ullal, Udupi, Byndoor, Ankola, Bhatkal, Haliyal and Sirsi. Some coastal taluks may not qualify for drought classification, with appropriate action to be taken based on actual situations established after assessment.
According to NDTV Profit, three Central teams comprising Joint Secretaries and officials from the Union Agriculture and Environment ministries are visiting the state. These teams will travel to three regions to assess rainfall deficit and crop losses, with a third and final memorandum covering all 217 taluks to be submitted after the assessments. As reported by ANI, Parameshwara informed the Central team that the State Government had already announced ₹2,500 per affected farmer as immediate input assistance, and orders had been issued to implement the decision. The Deputy CM urged the IMCT to ensure that its final assessment takes into account not only the 177 taluks covered by the first two memoranda, but also the 40 additional taluks subsequently declared drought-affected and any further crop damage identified during the final assessment. The meeting was attended by Central drought assessment team head Ajit Kumar Sahu and members of the team, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretaries Gaurav Gupta and Tushar Girinath, State Disaster Management Department Secretary Manoj Kumar Meena and Commissioner Honnamba, among other officials.
As reported by NDTV Profit, the crisis has widened sharply since August. Karnataka first declared 101 taluks drought-hit on August 27, adding 23 more soon after, taking the tally to 124. By September 17, another 23 taluks were added, followed by 53 on September 22, taking the total to 177. The addition of 40 more taluks on October 1 has now pushed the total to 217. According to ANI, Parameshwara explained that the scale and spread of the present drought is unprecedented in recent years, with the State now declaring 217 of its 240 taluks as drought-affected, covering almost the entire State. The state received 642 mm of rain against a normal 852 mm, with deficits of 46% in South Interior Karnataka and 44% in North Interior Karnataka. The state submitted its first memorandum on September 10, seeking ₹3,705.30 crore for the initial 101 taluks, followed by a supplementary memorandum on October 1 seeking ₹3,437.34 crore for 76 additional taluks.
According to ANI, Parameshwara informed the Central team that the drinking water situation is emerging as one of the biggest challenges arising from the drought and could worsen during the coming summer. The State Government has already initiated drought mitigation measures and released funds for drinking water supply and other emergency works. At present, drinking water is being supplied in 861 rural villages through 227 tankers and 720 hired borewells. The State estimates that more than 2,300 Gram Panchayats could face drinking water problems in the coming months, and contingency plans have been prepared. The State Government has released ₹306 crore from State funds through the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department for ensuring drinking water supply in areas affected by deficient rainfall. As reported by ANI, Parameshwara stated "Money alone is not going to solve this problem. Drinking water and overall water availability will be major challenges. We will need substantial support to manage the situation in the coming months."
