Karnataka Declares Additional 40 Taluks Drought-Affected for Kharif 2026
The Government of Karnataka has officially declared 40 additional taluks as drought-affected for the Kharif 2026 season. The order was issued by the Revenue Department on October 7, 2026, following a scientific drought assessment conducted by the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).
According to Government Order No. RD 586 TNR 2026 (Part 1) dated 07-10-2026, out of the 40 newly declared drought-affected taluks, 24 taluks have been classified as severely drought-affected, while 16 taluks have been categorized as moderately drought-affected.
The drought assessment covered the period from June 1, 2026 to September 23, 2026.
Why Were These 40 Taluks Declared Drought-Affected?
The Karnataka Government has followed the drought assessment procedure prescribed under the Manual for Drought Management, 2020.
The assessment was carried out by KSNDMC using the prescribed scientific methodology, including:
- Stage 1 – Mandatory Indicators
- Stage 2 – Impact Indicators
- Stage 3 – Ground Truthing
For the latest assessment, Ground Truthing was conducted across 450 villages in 40 taluks through the prescribed mobile application.
The findings from the Ground Truthing exercise were incorporated into the Integrated Drought Assessment conducted by KSNDMC.
Based on the combined scientific assessment and Ground Truthing findings, the Government found that these 40 taluks qualified for declaration as drought-affected.
Four-Phase Drought Assessment in Karnataka
The declaration of the latest 40 taluks comes after several phases of drought assessment during the Kharif 2026 season.
First Phase
During the first phase, 102 taluks qualified for Ground Truthing. Following the assessment, 101 taluks were declared drought-affected on August 27, 2026.
Of these:
- 89 taluks were severely affected
- 12 taluks were moderately affected
Second Phase
In the second phase, KSNDMC assessed the remaining 139 taluks. After the scientific assessment and Ground Truthing, 23 taluks were declared drought-affected on September 17, 2026.
Among these:
- 21 taluks were severely affected
- 2 taluks were moderately affected
Third Phase
During the third phase, 53 taluks qualified for Ground Truthing. Subsequently, 53 taluks were declared drought-affected.
Among them:
- 51 taluks were severely affected
- 2 taluks were moderately affected
Fourth Phase
In the fourth phase, the remaining taluks were assessed for the periods ending September 21 and September 23, 2026.
Following the assessment and Ground Truthing exercise covering 450 villages, 40 additional taluks have now been declared drought-affected.
Among the 40 taluks:
- 24 are severely drought-affected
- 16 are moderately drought-affected
List of 40 Newly Declared Drought-Affected Taluks
The following taluks have been included in the latest drought declaration:
| Sl. No. | District | Taluk | Drought Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bengaluru South | Channapatna | Moderate |
| 2 | Bengaluru South | Kanakapura | Severe |
| 3 | Bengaluru South | Harohalli | Severe |
| 4 | Davanagere | Jagalur | Severe |
| 5 | Mysuru | Periyapatna | Severe |
| 6 | Koppala | Kushtagi | Severe |
| 7 | Bidar | Aurad | Severe |
| 8 | Belagavi | Gokak | Severe |
| 9 | Belagavi | Ramadurga | Severe |
| 10 | Belagavi | Soundatti | Severe |
| 11 | Belagavi | Kagavada | Severe |
| 12 | Vijayapura | Indi | Severe |
| 13 | Vijayapura | Chadachana | Severe |
| 14 | Vijayapura | Talikote | Severe |
| 15 | Gadag | Gadag | Severe |
| 16 | Gadag | Mundargi | Severe |
| 17 | Gadag | Ron | Severe |
| 18 | Haveri | Hirekerur | Severe |
| 19 | Dharwad | Dharwad | Severe |
| 20 | Dharwad | Kalghatgi | Severe |
| 21 | Dharwad | Kundgol | Severe |
| 22 | Dharwad | Alnavara | Severe |
| 23 | Shivamogga | Bhadravathi | Severe |
| 24 | Shivamogga | Shikaripura | Moderate |
| 25 | Shivamogga | Shivamogga | Severe |
| 26 | Shivamogga | Soraba | Moderate |
| 27 | Shivamogga | Tirthahalli | Moderate |
| 28 | Chikkamagaluru | Chikkamagaluru | Severe |
| 29 | Chikkamagaluru | Kalasa | Moderate |
| 30 | Kodagu | Madikeri | Moderate |
| 31 | Kodagu | Kushalanagara | Moderate |
| 32 | Dakshina Kannada | Beltangadi | Moderate |
| 33 | Dakshina Kannada | Bantwal | Moderate |
| 34 | Dakshina Kannada | Ullala | Moderate |
| 35 | Udupi | Udupi | Moderate |
| 36 | Udupi | Bynduru | Moderate |
| 37 | Uttara Kannada | Ankola | Moderate |
| 38 | Uttara Kannada | Bhatkal | Moderate |
| 39 | Uttara Kannada | Haliyal | Moderate |
| 40 | Uttara Kannada | Sirsi | Moderate |
What Relief Measures Will Be Taken?
The Government Order authorizes the Deputy Commissioners and Chairpersons of the District Disaster Management Authorities of the declared taluks to take necessary drought relief and response measures.
The relief measures will be implemented in accordance with the prevailing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) items and applicable norms of assistance.
This means eligible affected people and agricultural activities may receive assistance under the applicable drought-relief provisions, subject to the prescribed rules and assessment.
Crop Loss Survey Ordered
The Government has also directed the concerned departments to conduct a detailed assessment of crop damage.
The:
- Commissioner of Agriculture
- Director of Horticulture
- Concerned Deputy Commissioners
have been instructed to conduct a joint crop-loss survey in the drought-affected taluks.
The assessment reports are required to be submitted to the Government in the prescribed format.
Drought Declaration Effective Immediately
The declaration of the additional 40 taluks will come into effect immediately from October 7, 2026.
According to the Government Order, the declaration will remain in force for a period of six months, unless it is revoked earlier by the State Government.
More Taluks May Be Declared Drought-Affected
The Government has clarified that drought assessment is a continuous process.
KSNDMC will conduct another round of drought assessment at the end of the Kharif 2026 season.
Depending on the outcome of the prescribed assessment process and Ground Truthing, additional taluks may also be declared drought-affected wherever the conditions warrant such a declaration.
Key Points at a Glance
- Order Date: October 7, 2026
- Season: Kharif 2026
- Assessment Period: June 1, 2026 to September 23, 2026
- Additional Taluks Declared: 40
- Severely Affected: 24 taluks
- Moderately Affected: 16 taluks
- Villages Covered Under Ground Truthing: 450
- Ground Truthing: Conducted through the prescribed mobile application
- Relief Authority: District Disaster Management Authorities
- Crop Loss Survey: To be conducted jointly by Agriculture, Horticulture and Deputy Commissioner authorities
- Validity of Declaration: Six months, unless revoked earlier
Conclusion
The Karnataka Government's declaration of 40 additional drought-affected taluks is based on the scientific assessment carried out by KSNDMC and the subsequent Ground Truthing exercise. The latest order brings drought relief measures under the applicable SDRF norms to the newly declared areas.
Farmers and other affected beneficiaries in these taluks should follow official announcements from their respective district administrations and concerned departments regarding crop-loss assessment, drought relief assistance and other eligible benefits.
The Government has also made it clear that drought assessment will continue, and further taluks may be declared drought-affected if subsequent assessments establish the need.
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