Nine more taluks declared drought-hit in Karnataka; total rises to 226

Members of the Central drought assessment team inspect damaged crops in agricultural fields in Harapanahalli and Huvina Hadagali taluks of Vijayanagara district on October 12, 2026. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Karnataka has declared nine more taluks drought-affected, taking the total to 226, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Wednesday (October 14, 2026). The State government is preparing a final memorandum detailing the losses and seeking drought relief from the Centre, which is expected to be ready within a week.

The nine newly added taluks are Sakleshpur in Hassan district, classified as severely drought-affected, and Khanapur in Belagavi, Hosanagara and Sagara in Shivamogga, Puttur, Moodbidri and Mulki in Dakshina Kannada, and Joida and Dandeli in Uttara Kannada, which have been classified as moderately drought-affected.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Parameshwara said field verification had been completed in the nine taluks. Assessment under the Trigger-1 criteria was still under way in some of the remaining taluks, and those meeting the prescribed conditions would be taken up for ground verification.