Bengaluru, September 28, 2026: The Centre has confirmed that three Central teams will visit Karnataka from October 3 to assess the state’s drought situation, including crop damage, water availability and conditions faced by farmers across affected regions.
The assessment comes after Karnataka declared a large number of taluks drought-affected and sought financial assistance from the Union government. The Central teams are expected to compare the state’s assessment with ground-level conditions before further decisions are taken on drought relief.
Three Teams to Cover Major Regions
The Inter-Ministerial Central Team will be led by Joint Secretary Ajeet Kumar Sahu. The teams have been assigned different parts of the state for the field assessment.
One team will cover Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Davanagere and Vijayanagara. A second team will visit Hassan, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, with Mandya also being considered as part of the assessment, particularly in connection with water levels in the Krishna Raja Sagar reservoir.
The third team will focus on Yadgir, Raichur, Bagalkot and Koppal in North Karnataka.
The teams are scheduled to begin the assessment process from October 3, with officials expected to inspect affected areas and interact with state and district authorities.
177 Taluks Declared Drought-Affected
Karnataka has so far declared 177 of its 240 taluks as drought-affected. Ground-level verification is also continuing in another 50 taluks, meaning the number of affected areas could change as assessments progress.
The drought situation has raised concerns over crop production, drinking water availability, livestock and rural livelihoods. The Central assessment is expected to provide an independent field-level picture of the situation.
Karnataka Seeks Central Financial Assistance
The Karnataka government has sought approximately ₹3,705.30 crore in assistance under its drought memorandum for the 2026 Kharif season.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has also requested the Centre to release 50 per cent of the requested assistance as interim support, along with an advance release of the Central share of disaster-response funds. The state has said immediate assistance is required for measures including crop-loss support, drinking water arrangements and protection of livestock.
The Karnataka government has also announced a 1,250-crore one-time relief package for around 50 lakh farmers, according to reports on the state’s drought response.
Focus Turns to Rabi Season
The drought assessment comes at a crucial time as preparations begin for the Rabi agricultural season.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked drought-affected states to consider available water and soil moisture while deciding their Rabi cropping plans. Areas with limited water availability may need to consider crops requiring comparatively less irrigation.
The Centre has indicated that the field assessments in Karnataka will help determine the extent of the drought and the assistance required by the state.
For farmers and rural communities across Karnataka, the October assessment is expected to be closely watched as the state awaits further decisions on drought relief and financial assistance.
Dynamic Leader News Desk
Prathiban DC
