Karnataka has added nine more taluks to its drought-hit list, taking the total to 226, while the state government estimates that drought-related losses could eventually rise to ₹60,000 crore–₹70,000 crore. A final memorandum seeking central assistance is expected to be completed within the next one or two days.
Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara announced the updated figures after a Cabinet meeting at Vidhana Soudha. He said 217 taluks had previously been classified as drought-hit and that nine additional taluks had now been included.
The government is continuing to assess conditions in the remaining taluks. Parameshwara said taluks that qualify under the Trigger-1 criteria would be subjected to a ground-truthing process. If the assessment confirms their eligibility, more taluks could be added to the drought-hit list. Otherwise, the current list of 226 taluks will be treated as final.
The state has so far estimated drought-related losses at approximately ₹46,000 crore. Parameshwara said preliminary calculations indicated that the final loss figure could reach between ₹60,000 crore and ₹70,000 crore. He clarified, however, that the entire loss amount cannot be claimed as compensation from the Centre.
Relief claims must be calculated separately under the guidelines of the National Disaster Response Fund, or NDRF. According to Parameshwara, Karnataka recorded losses of about ₹49,000 crore last year but sought approximately ₹18,000 crore in central assistance after applying the NDRF guidelines. If this year’s losses reach ₹60,000 crore, the state may seek between ₹18,000 crore and ₹20,000 crore, although the figure has not been finalised.
The minister stressed that these remain preliminary estimates. The final amount will be determined after the state completes its assessment of the losses and calculates the portion eligible for assistance under NDRF rules. This distinction is central to the state’s relief memorandum because the overall economic damage and the amount admissible under disaster-relief norms are not the same.
The memorandum is being prepared for submission to the Union government. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed that an all-party delegation should accompany the state when the memorandum is presented, Parameshwara said. Opposition parties have already indicated that they will not participate, but the government plans to approach them again and request their involvement.
If the opposition does not join the delegation, the Chief Minister, Parameshwara and some ministers are expected to travel to New Delhi and seek meetings with the Prime Minister and the relevant Union ministers. The delegation or state representatives will present the drought situation and the requirement for central assistance along with the completed memorandum.
