Karnataka Declares 101 Taluks as Drought-Hit: Issued Official Order

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has officially declared 101 taluks across the state as drought-hit following a severe shortfall in monsoon rainfall and prolonged dry weather during the 2026 season. Karnataka Declares 101 Taluks as Drought-Hit: Issued Official Order.

The notification, issued with immediate effect, will remain in force for six months. The declaration is based on scientific assessments, crop damage surveys, and ground-truthing exercises, conducted in accordance with the Government of India’s Drought Management Manual-2020.

Of the 101 drought-hit taluks, 89 have been classified as ‘Severe Drought’, while the remaining 12 have been categorized as ‘Moderate Drought’. Karnataka has experienced a significant monsoon shortfall this year. As of August 21, the state had received only 437 mm of rainfall against the normal 635 mm, recording an overall 31% rainfall deficit.

In June, the state received 116 mm of rainfall against the normal 199 mm, marking a 42% deficit. This was the fourth-lowest June rainfall recorded in Karnataka over the past 50 years (1976–2026). In July, rainfall stood at 192 mm, compared to the normal 271 mm, resulting in a 29% deficit.

Between June 1 and August 12, Karnataka experienced 43 dry days out of 73, with prolonged dry spells and below-normal rainfall severely affecting agricultural activity. The lack of adequate soil moisture disrupted sowing operations and caused standing crops to wither in several parts of the state.

Following the first two phases of drought assessment conducted by the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), officials carried out ground-truthing surveys in 1,539 villages across 102 taluks in 25 districts using the Crop Loss GT mobile application.

Based on the findings of these field inspections, the government has officially included 101 taluks in the state’s drought-hit list.

Government Orders Immediate Relief Measures:

The government has authorised Deputy Commissioners, who also head the respective District Disaster Management Authorities, to immediately initiate drought relief measures under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) guidelines.

The Agriculture Commissioner, Director of Horticulture, and the concerned Deputy Commissioners have also been directed to conduct joint crop damage assessments and submit detailed reports at the earliest.

The Revenue Department said rainfall conditions will continue to be reviewed on a weekly basis, and additional taluks may be declared drought-hit if they meet the prescribed criteria.

List of Drought-Hit Taluks:

Moderate Drought Taluks (12):

Devanahalli (Bengaluru Rural), Davanagere, Maddur (Mandya), Pandavapura (Mandya), Lingsugur (Raichur), Raichur, Koppa (Chikkamagaluru), Narasimharajapura (Chikkamagaluru), Tarikere (Chikkamagaluru), Somwarpet (Kodagu), Mundgod (Uttara Kannada), and Yellapur (Uttara Kannada).

Severe Drought Taluks (89):

Bengaluru Urban: Anekal, Bengaluru North, Bengaluru East, Yelahanka

Bengaluru Rural: Hoskote, Nelamangala

Ramanagara: Magadi, Ramanagara

Kolar: Bangarapet, Kolar, Malur, Mulbagal, Srinivaspur, KGF

Chikkaballapur: Bagepalli, Chikkaballapur, Chintamani, Gauribidanur, Gudibande, Sidlaghatta, Chelur, Manchenahalli

Tumakuru: Chikkanayakanahalli, Gubbi, Koratagere, Kunigal, Madhugiri, Pavagada, Sira, Tumakuru, Turuvekere

Chitradurga: Challakere, Hiriyur, Hosadurga

Davanagere: Channagiri, Honnali, Nyamathi

Chamarajanagar: Chamarajanagar, Gundlupet, Kollegal, Yelandur, Hanur

Mysuru: Heggadadevankote, Hunsur, Krishnarajanagara, Mysuru, Nanjangud, T. Narasipura, Saragur, Saligrama

Mandya: Krishnarajapete, Malavalli, Mandya, Nagamangala, Srirangapatna

Ballari: Ballari, Sandur, Kurugodu, Kampli

Koppal: Gangavathi, Kukanur, Kanakagiri

Raichur: Devadurga, Manvi/Maski, Arakera

Bidar: Bidar, Basavakalyan, Humnabad, Chitaguppa

Bagalkote: Bagalkote, Bilagi, Jamkhandi, Guledgudda, Ilkal

Vijayapura: Vijayapura, Nidagundi, Kolhar

Gadag: Gajendragad

Hassan: Arakalagudu, Arsikere, Channarayapatna, Hassan, Holenarasipura

Chikkamagaluru: Ajjampura

Yadgir: Shahapur

Vijayanagara: Hosapete, Hoovina Hadagali, Hagaribommanahalli, Harapanahalli.