Bengaluru: Karnataka is set to declare nine more taluks drought-affected, taking the total number of drought-hit taluks in the state to 226, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said on Wednesday, October 14.

The state government is preparing to seek financial assistance from the Centre to address drought-related losses. Parameshwara said field inspections had been completed in the nine taluks proposed for drought declaration, while assessments were continuing in other areas to determine whether they met the prescribed criteria.

The government will conduct further field inspections in additional taluks if they are found to satisfy the stipulated conditions, he said.

The proposed declaration comes as Karnataka works to assess the extent of agricultural and other losses caused by drought conditions and prepare a formal request for financial assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Nine more taluks proposed for drought declaration

According to Parameshwara, field inspections have been completed in the nine taluks proposed for inclusion in the drought-hit list. The proposed addition will increase the total number of drought-affected taluks across Karnataka to 226.

The government is also examining conditions in other taluks that have not yet been included in the list. Authorities will assess the available information against the prescribed drought declaration criteria before deciding whether additional inspections are necessary.

“If any of the remaining taluks meet the stipulated criteria, steps will be taken to conduct field inspections there as well,” Parameshwara said.

The assessment process is intended to ensure that areas meeting the required conditions are identified for possible drought declaration. The final list will depend on the outcome of the assessments and the applicable criteria.

Government preparing memorandum on drought losses

The state government is preparing a final memorandum detailing the losses suffered by Karnataka due to drought conditions. Parameshwara said the document was expected to be ready within a week.

The memorandum will bring together the assessment of losses and form the basis for the state’s request for financial assistance from the Centre.

Once the overall losses have been assessed, the government will determine the amount of assistance it can seek under the NDRF guidelines, the deputy chief minister said.

The assessment is an important step in establishing the extent of the damage and the financial support required to address the consequences of drought. The amount sought will depend on the losses documented and the provisions governing assistance under the disaster response framework.

The government is expected to complete the memorandum before approaching the Centre with its formal request.

Karnataka delegation to visit New Delhi

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and other officials will finalise the members of a delegation that will travel to New Delhi to submit the memorandum in person.

The delegation will present the state’s assessment of drought-related losses and urge the Centre to release the financial assistance required to address the situation.

Parameshwara said the delegation would seek support based on the losses recorded in the memorandum and the assistance available under the applicable guidelines.

The proposed visit is part of the state’s efforts to secure central assistance after completing the assessment and documentation process. The government intends to submit its request directly to the Union authorities.

Financial assistance to depend on assessed losses

The amount of assistance Karnataka seeks will be determined after the government completes its assessment of the overall losses and finalises the memorandum.

The NDRF provides a framework for financial assistance in response to notified disasters, subject to prescribed conditions and procedures. Karnataka’s request will therefore be based on the documented losses and the relevant guidelines.

The proposed expansion of the drought-hit list to 226 taluks will form part of the broader assessment of the situation across the state. Further inspections may be conducted in other taluks if they meet the stipulated criteria.

With the memorandum expected to be completed within a week, the next steps will involve finalising the delegation, submitting the state’s request in New Delhi and pursuing financial assistance from the Centre.

The government has said it will continue assessing areas that may qualify for drought declaration while working to secure support for the losses already identified.