Central Drought Team to Submit Field-Based Report After Three-Day Karnataka Visit

Shivakumar made the statement after meeting the team, led by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry Joint Secretary Ajit Kumar Sahu, at his official residence-cum-office, Krishna, in Bengaluru. During the meeting, the Chief Minister sought Rs 3,705.30 crore in drought assistance for Karnataka under NDRF norms.

According to Shivakumar, Sahu assured the state government that the team would travel through affected areas, independently assess conditions on the ground and examine relevant information provided by state officials before preparing its report.

Shivakumar told the Central team that Karnataka was facing severe drought conditions that had affected farmers as well as the wider population. He urged the Union government to approve the state's request for Rs 3,705.30 crore in relief.

The Chief Minister said 217 of Karnataka's 240 taluks had been declared drought-hit following what he described as a scientific assessment conducted in accordance with the Centre's disaster management guidelines.

He said prolonged distress among farmers could have broader economic and social consequences for the state and urged the Centre to extend assistance at the earliest.

Shivakumar also highlighted what he described as an acute shortage of water across several regions. He said reservoir inflows remained low in most parts of Karnataka, with the exception of the Krishna basin, while parts of the Malnad and coastal belts were also experiencing rainfall deficits.

The Chief Minister said urban areas were facing increasing pressure over water availability as well. He also referred to directions from the Cauvery Water Management Authority concerning the release of water from Karnataka to the Cauvery river.

The state government has announced Rs 2,500 in assistance for affected farmers, but Shivakumar said additional Central support was necessary given the scale of the situation.

He said state ministers had travelled to different districts to review conditions, while government departments had undertaken precautionary and relief measures. Farmers were also being advised on sowing decisions based on prevailing rainfall conditions.

Shivakumar said a special session had been convened to discuss the difficulties being faced by elected representatives and farmers, with around 150 MLAs raising issues from their respective constituencies.

He also highlighted difficulties faced by different sections of the agricultural economy. Sugarcane growers have been seeking higher prices, while milk producers have demanded an increase of at least Rs 10 in milk prices.

The Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also raised concerns about Karnataka's drought situation during his visit to the state and subsequently directed ministers and officials to take appropriate measures.

Shivakumar called for coordination between the Centre and state government in responding to the crisis, saying both governments should work together to provide relief to affected farmers and communities.

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Minister's Economic Adviser L.K. Ateeq and senior officials from the development, finance, revenue and disaster management departments also attended the meeting.