Full Breakdown
Karnataka Expands Drought Declarations and Launches Third-Phase Verification Amid Severe Monsoon Deficit
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Core Event: Expanded Drought Declarations and Third-Phase Verification
On September 17, Karnataka declared 23 additional taluks drought-affected, raising the total to 124. The new list includes 21 severely affected taluks—such as Tiptur (Tumakuru), Karatagi (Koppal) and Hubballi (Dharwad)—and two moderately affected taluks in Kodagu. Under a cabinet sub-committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, ground-truthing will be carried out in 53 taluks across 17 districts on September 19-20, with final reports due September 21. The “Crop Loss GT” mobile app will capture geo-tagged photographs, GPS coordinates and crop-loss details for each field surveyed.
Background & Context
Karnataka’s first drought notification on August 27 listed 101 taluks as drought-hit for the Kharif 2026 season. This year’s southwest monsoon has been markedly deficient: rainfall from June 1 to September 11 was 34 % below normal, with an 81 % deficit in the first 11 days of September. The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre reported that only Belagavi district recorded rainfall close to normal, while the remaining 30 districts experienced deficits.
Data & Statistics
- Taluk counts: 101 declared August 27; 124 after September 17 addition; 239 total taluks in the state.
- Rainfall deficit: 34 % below normal up to September 11; 81 % deficit in early September.
- Reservoir inflows (Sept 15): Krishnaraja Sagar 4,834 cusecs (vs 7,868 cusecs 2025); Harangi 507 cusecs (vs 1,585 cusecs 2025); Hemavathi 1,404 cusecs (vs 4,275 cusecs 2025); Kabini 1,091 cusecs (vs 3,929 cusecs 2025).
- Live storage (TMC) on Sept 15: Krishnaraja Sagar 19 TMC (vs 39.36 TMC 2025); Harangi 5.91 TMC (vs 7.60 TMC 2025); Hemavathi 15.81 TMC (vs 31.72 TMC 2025); Kabini 1.14 TMC (vs 8.32 TMC 2025); Almatti 105 TMC (? 2025 level).
- Crop area reduction (Union Ministry, Sept 4): Rice 4.28 lakh ha; Pulses 2.07 lakh ha; Millets & coarse grains 5.64 lakh ha.
- Financial relief: 12-month moratorium on Kisan Credit Card, agricultural, dairy, sericulture and fisheries loans; repayment periods extended to 36 months in moderate taluks and 60 months in severe taluks.
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar warned that the drought threatens drinking-water supply and electricity generation, noting peak power demand of 19,000 MW in early September. He announced a three-day special legislative session beginning September 21 to discuss farmer distress and the Western Ghats eco-sensitive area proposal. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara explained that the third-phase verification uses the “Crop Loss GT” app to ensure transparent, scientific assessment. Chief Secretary Uma Mahadevan emphasized that the loan-relief package aims to protect drought-affected borrowers and maintain credit flow. The State Level Bankers’ Committee committed to implement the package by October 11 2026 and complete all measures by January 6 2027.
What’s Next
- Field inspections: September 19-20; reports: September 21.
- Legislative action: Three-day special Assembly session September 21-23 to address drought relief and water-resource issues.
- Banking measures: Banks to invoke loan-relief provisions by October 11 2026 and finalize implementation by January 6 2027.
These steps constitute the state’s ongoing scientific and policy response to a monsoon season that has left a majority of Karnataka’s taluks facing severe agricultural stress.