Central Teams Begin Karnataka Drought Assessment as Crop Loss Estimate Rises to Rs 60,000 Crore

Three Central government teams have begun a field assessment of drought conditions and crop losses across Karnataka, with the state estimating that the overall damage could eventually reach between Rs 50,000 crore and Rs 60,000 crore.

Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Saturday that Karnataka would submit a final memorandum seeking Central assistance once the assessment of all drought-affected areas is completed.

The teams, comprising officials from different Union ministries including Agriculture and Environment, will inspect affected regions, verify crop losses and assess water availability. They will also meet district officials and examine the data and assessments submitted by the state government.

One team will cover Tumakuru, Chitradurga and Davanagere, another will visit districts in North Karnataka, while the third will assess the situation in the Mysuru region.

Karnataka has so far declared 217 of its 240 taluks drought-affected. Losses in 177 of these taluks have already been assessed at around Rs 46,000 crore and were included in the state's second memorandum to the Centre. Assessment of the remaining 40 taluks, which were added to the drought-hit list on October 1, is underway.

Parameshwara said the final damage figure could rise to between Rs 50,000 crore and Rs 60,000 crore once the assessment across all 217 taluks is completed.

The state has already submitted two memoranda seeking drought assistance. A third and final memorandum covering all affected taluks will be prepared after the ongoing field assessment and verification process is concluded.

The Deputy Chief Minister said recent rainfall would not significantly alter the drought assessment. While the showers could improve drinking water availability in some areas, they came too late to substantially reverse damage already suffered by standing crops.

The Central teams will also be given rainfall and drought-related data covering the period from May through September. Parameshwara said the assessment would consider the broader rainfall pattern and ground conditions rather than focusing only on the latest spell of rain.

Karnataka has experienced one of its most severe rainfall deficits in decades. State data cited in recent reporting shows the southwest monsoon was 35 per cent below normal, making it the state's weakest monsoon since 1971. The India Meteorological Department has also forecast below-normal rainfall for Karnataka during October and November.

The government will also carry out ground verification in the 22 taluks that have not yet been declared drought-hit. Parameshwara said some could qualify for drought status depending on the findings, while others, particularly in coastal areas, may not meet the prescribed criteria.

On allegations concerning deletion of eligible voters from electoral rolls through Form-7 applications, Parameshwara said the matter should be investigated to establish the facts.

He alleged that Form-7 applications had been submitted in large batches and claimed that some bundles contained applications involving dozens of people from the same community. He questioned how the personal and electoral information required for such applications had been obtained.

Parameshwara said FIRs had been registered in several places in connection with the Form-7 applications and that the state would provide documents and other evidence to investigating agencies.

The Deputy Chief Minister also rejected criticism from the BJP over Congress leaders' presence at the Chief Electoral Officer's office, saying they had gone there to submit a memorandum seeking action over the allegations.

He said the government would accept the outcome of an impartial investigation, whether or not it ultimately substantiated the allegations raised by the Congress.

“If the investigation establishes that no wrongdoing took place and everything was proper, we are ready to accept it,” Parameshwara said, while reiterating that the government would place its evidence before the appropriate authorities.

The drought assessment comes as Karnataka continues to seek financial assistance from the Centre. Earlier, the state had requested Rs 3,705.30 crore in Central assistance for the first 101 drought-hit taluks, while subsequent assessments expanded the affected area to 177 taluks.