Karnataka Declares 23 More Taluks Drought-Affected for Kharif 2026 – Full List
Karnataka Declares 23 More Taluks Drought-Affected for Kharif 2026: Government declares 23 additional taluks drought-affected for Kharif 2026. Check the complete district-wise list of 21 severe and 2 moderate drought-affected taluks.
The decision was issued through Government Order No. RD 586 TNR 2026 (Part-1), dated 17 September 2026, by the Revenue Department (Disaster Management, SSP and S&R).
Of the 23 newly declared drought-affected taluks, 21 have been categorised as severely drought-affected, while 2 taluks have been categorised as moderately drought-affected.
Karnataka Drought Declaration 2026 – Key Highlights
Particular Details Government Order No. RD 586 TNR 2026 (Part-1) Order Date 17 September 2026 Season Kharif 2026 Assessment Period 1 June 2026 to 2 September 2026 Additional Taluks Declared 23 Severely Affected 21 Taluks Moderately Affected 2 Taluks Validity 6 Months Assessment Agency KSNDMC
List of 23 Additional Drought-Affected Taluks in Karnataka
Sl. No. District Taluk Drought Category 1 Tumakuru Tiptur Severe 2 Koppala Karatagi Severe 3 Raichur Manvi Severe 4 Raichur Sindhanur Severe 5 Raichur Sirivara Severe 6 Kalaburagi Afzalpur Severe 7 Kalaburagi Aland Severe 8 Kalaburagi Chittapur Severe 9 Kalaburagi Kalaburagi Severe 10 Kalaburagi Yadrami Severe 11 Kalaburagi Shahabad Severe 12 Bidar Bhalki Severe 13 Vijayapura Basavanabagevadi Severe 14 Vijayapura Babaleshwara Severe 15 Vijayapura Tikota Severe 16 Haveri Ratteehalli Severe 17 Dharwad Hubballi Severe 18 Dharwad Navalgund Severe 19 Dharwad Hubballi Nagara Severe 20 Dharwad Annigeri Severe 21 Chikkamagaluru Kadur Severe 22 Kodagu Ponnampete Moderate 23 Kodagu Virajpet Moderate
How Were the Taluks Declared Drought-Affected?
The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) conducted a scientific assessment of drought conditions using the parameters prescribed under the Manual for Drought Management, 2020.
The assessment followed a three-stage methodology:
- Stage 1 – Mandatory Indicators
- Stage 2 – Impact Indicators
- Stage 3 – Ground Truthing (GT)
Based on the integrated drought assessment, 24 taluks qualified for Ground Truthing.
Ground Truthing was subsequently conducted through a mobile application covering 214 villages across 24 taluks. The findings were incorporated into the Integrated Drought Assessment.
Following the complete assessment, 23 taluks qualified for declaration as drought-affected.
Drought Situation Continues to Be Monitored
The Government has stated that drought assessment is a continuous process and will continue until the end of the South-West Monsoon season.
KSNDMC will continue to conduct weekly assessments of drought conditions during the Kharif 2026 season. If additional taluks meet the prescribed criteria following the assessment and Ground Truthing process, further drought declarations may be issued.
Drought Relief Measures
The Deputy Commissioners-cum-Chairpersons of the District Disaster Management Authorities of the declared taluks have been authorised to undertake necessary drought relief and response measures in accordance with the prevailing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) items and norms of assistance.
The declaration is intended to facilitate appropriate drought response and relief measures in the affected areas.
Crop Loss Survey Ordered
The Government has also directed the Commissioner of Agriculture, Director of Horticulture and concerned Deputy Commissioners to conduct a joint survey of crop losses in the drought-affected taluks.
The crop-loss assessment reports are required to be submitted to the Government in the prescribed format.
How Long Will the Drought Declaration Remain Valid?
The declaration of the additional 23 taluks will take effect immediately from 17 September 2026.
The declaration will remain in force for six months, unless it is revoked earlier by the State Government.
District-Wise Summary
District Number of Taluks Category Tumakuru 1 Severe Koppala 1 Severe Raichur 3 Severe Kalaburagi 6 Severe Bidar 1 Severe Vijayapura 3 Severe Haveri 1 Severe Dharwad 4 Severe Chikkamagaluru 1 Severe Kodagu 2 Moderate Total2321 Severe + 2 Moderate
Important Points
- Karnataka has declared 23 additional taluks drought-affected for Kharif 2026.
- 21 taluks are categorised as severely drought-affected.
- 2 taluks are categorised as moderately drought-affected.
- The assessment period was 1 June to 2 September 2026.
- The assessment was carried out using the methodology prescribed under the Manual for Drought Management, 2020.
- Ground Truthing covered 214 villages in 24 taluks.
- The declaration is effective from 17 September 2026.
- The declaration will remain valid for six months, unless revoked earlier.
- Crop-loss surveys have been ordered in the affected taluks.
- KSNDMC will continue weekly drought assessments during Kharif 2026.
The Karnataka Government’s latest order adds 23 more taluks to the drought-affected areas for the Kharif 2026 season. The declaration follows an integrated scientific assessment by KSNDMC, including mandatory indicators, impact indicators and Ground Truthing.
The Government has authorised drought relief measures in the declared taluks and directed the concerned departments to assess crop losses. Further taluks may also be declared drought-affected if they qualify through the prescribed assessment process during the remainder of the Kharif 2026 season.
