Karnataka’s Drought Crisis Deepens: 217 Taluks Hit As State Seeks ₹3,705 Crore From Centre

Karnataka’s severe drought has become more than a story of failed rains, with the state’s depleted water reserves, groundwater stress and growing demand adding to the pressure on farmers and households.

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has sought ₹3,705.30 crore from the Centre under National Disaster Response Fund norms, as 217 of the state’s 240 taluks have been declared drought-hit. A Central Inter-Ministerial team is visiting affected areas for three days before submitting an assessment report.

The immediate trigger is an extraordinary rainfall deficit. Karnataka has recorded around 35 per cent below-normal southwest monsoon rainfall, reportedly its worst southwest monsoon performance since 1971. Reservoir inflows have also remained low in most regions.

The state has responded with ₹2,500 assistance for drought-hit farmers, drinking-water measures, tanker supplies and efforts to drill new borewells and revive existing sources. The government has also said drinking water will be given priority in managing available reservoir stocks.

But the crisis is not entirely about rainfall. Karnataka has faced long-standing groundwater stress, with a CAG audit pointing to shortcomings in regulating groundwater extraction. Intensive water use in agriculture, expanding cities and rising industrial and domestic demand can further increase vulnerability when rains fail.

The state has also undertaken groundwater-management programmes, including Atal Bhujal Yojana, aimed at improving water-use efficiency, recharge and community-level planning.

The picture, therefore, is more complicated than simply blaming a weak monsoon. The rainfall failure triggered the current emergency, while existing pressure on water resources can determine how deeply and how long the drought affects Karnataka. Shivakumar has urged the Centre to step in as farmers, livestock owners and urban residents confront the worsening shortage.