Declaration of 101 taluks as drought affected for the Kharif 2026 season (assessment period 1st June 2026 to 12th August 2026).

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¨sÁUÀ – 1 Part – I

. 776 No. 776 Proceedings of the Government of Karnataka

Sub: Declaration of 101 taluks as drought affected for the Kharif 2026 season (assessment period 1st June 2026 to 12th August 2026).

Ref: 1. Notification for undertaking Ground Truthing dated 14-08-2026

2. Decision of the Cabinet meeting dated 13-08-2026

3. Integrated Drought Assessment by KSNDMC for the Period from 1st June to 12th August 2026

4. Manual for Drought Management 2020

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Preamble:

The State is experiencing an erratic South-West Monsoon, 2026, characterised by significant temporal and spatial variation in rainfall, with deficit rainfall being observed across all four meteorological regions of the State.

The South-West Monsoon entered Karnataka and adjoining regions on 5th June 2026 and subsequently advanced over almost the entire State by 22nd June 2026. However, the progress of the monsoon was sluggish, taking nearly 11 days to advance into Bidar district, resulting in a delayed onset over parts of North Interior Karnataka.

For the South-West Monsoon season, as on 21st August 2026, the State has recorded 437 mm of rainfall against the normal rainfall of 635 mm, that is a deficit of (-)31%. The rainfall deficit has persisted throughout the monsoon season. During June 2026, the State received 116 mm of rainfall against the normal of 199 mm, registering a 42% deficit. June 2026 recorded the fourth-lowest June rainfall in the last 50 years (1976–2026). During July

(1)2 2026, the State received 192 mm against the normal rainfall of 271 mm, resulting in a 29% deficit.

The uneven temporal distribution of rainfall is further reflected in the number of rainy days recorded during the period from 1st June to 12th August 2026. Out of the 73-day period, 43 days experienced Deficit to Large Deficit rainfall, indicating prolonged dry spells during the monsoon season.

For the period from 1st June to 21st August 2026, 29 districts are in the Deficit rainfall category, while only 2 districts are in the Normal category. At the taluk level, 176 taluks are in the Deficit category and 15 taluks are in the Large Deficit category, while only 49 taluks are in the Normal to Excess rainfall categories.

The South-West Monsoon, 2026, has thus been characterised by prolonged dry spells interspersed with isolated episodes of heavy rainfall, resulting in an overall rainfall deficit and uneven distribution of rainfall across the State.

The persistent rainfall deficit and consecutive dry spells have adversely affected agricultural operations, soil moisture availability, Kharif sowing and crop establishment. In several areas, poor seed germination and inadequate crop establishment have been reported.

Standing crops in affected areas are also exhibiting moisture stress, including wilting, yellowing/discolouration and stunted growth, particularly in areas that have experienced persistent dry spells.

KSNDMC has undertaken a scientific assessment of the drought parameters prescribed under the Manual for Drought Management, 2020, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of India, for the period from 1st June to 12th August 2026.

Based on the Integrated Drought Assessment (Stage 1 and 2) undertaken by KSNDMC total of 102 taluks have qualified for Step 3 – Ground Truthing (GT). The assessment was placed before the Cabinet on 13th August 2026, seeking approval to undertake the Ground Truthing exercise in the qualified taluks.

Brief on Drought Declaration Process under the Manual for Drought Management, 2020, referred at No. 4 above. As prescribed in the Manual for Drought Management, 2020, the process for drought assessment and declaration follows a three-stage methodology:

1. Stage 1–Assessment of Mandatory Indicators: Each taluk is assessed against the mandatory indicators, viz, rainfall deviation and dry spell, to identify taluks that qualify for further assessment.

2. Stage 2 – Assessment of Impact Indicators: The taluks qualifying under the mandatory indicators are assessed against four impact indicators, namely agricultural crop sown status, satellite-based vegetation indices, soil moisture and hydrology. Based on the prescribed matrix of impact indicators, the qualifying taluks are categorised as Moderate or Severe drought.

3. Stage 3 – Ground Truthing: Taluks categorised as Moderate or Severe drought under Stage 2 qualify for Ground Truthing (GT). The Ground Truthing exercise provides field-level verification of the drought impact and constitutes the final basis for determining the intensity of drought as Moderate or Severe.

Thus, the three-stage process ensures that drought declaration is based on a combination of objective meteorological parameters, impact assessment and field-level verification, in accordance with the methodology prescribed in the Manual for Drought Management, 2020.

As referred to at Sl. No. 2 above, the Cabinet examined the assessment undertaken by KSNDMC for the period from 1st June to 12th August 2026 and approved the conduct of Ground Truthing (GT) in the 102 taluks that qualified for Step 3 of the drought assessment process, thereby facilitating further action towards declaration of drought.

Subsequently, as directed by the Cabinet and in accordance with the Manual for Drought Management, 2020, notification for conducting Ground Truthing (GT) in the qualifying taluks was issued, as referred to at Sl. No. 1 above. Accordingly, Ground Truthing was undertaken in 1539 villages covering 102 taluks in 25 districts, through the "Crop Loss GT" mobile application developed by DPAR (e-Governance).

The findings of the Ground Truthing exercise were shared with KSNDMC and incorporated into the Integrated Drought Assessment in accordance with the three-stage methodology prescribed under the Manual for Drought Management, 2020, comprising Stage 1 – Mandatory Indicators, Stage 2 – Impact Indicators and Stage 3 – Ground Truthing.

Based on the integrated assessment and the findings of the Ground Truthing exercise, 101 taluks qualify for declaration of drought, of which 89_taluks are categorised as Severely affected and 12 taluks as Moderately affected.

As per Clause 3.4 of the Manual for Drought Management, 2020, the State Government shall declare drought through a notification clearly specifying the geographical4 extent and administrative units, such as taluks, and indicating the intensity of drought, i.e., Moderate or Severe. Hence, the following order.

Government Order No. RD 586 TNR 2026; Bengaluru, dated:27.08.2026.

In the circumstances explained above, sanction of the Government is hereby accorded for declaration of 101_taluks as drought-affected taluks for Kharif 2026, based on the scientific assessment undertaken in accordance with the parameters prescribed under the Manual for Drought Management, 2020.

Out of the 101 drought-affected taluks, 89 taluks are categorised as Severely affected and 12 taluks as Moderately affected, as detailed in the list appended to this order. The declaration shall take effect with immediate effect and remain in force for a period of six months from the date of this order, unless revoked earlier by the State Government. The Deputy Commissioners-cum-Chairpersons of the District Disaster Management Authorities of declared taluks and the Chairperson GBA Disaster Management Authority are authorised to undertake necessary drought relief and response measures in accordance with the prevailing SDRF items and norms of assistance.

Further, the Commissioner Agriculture, Director Horticulture and the concerned Deputy Commissioners are directed to undertake a joint survey of crop loss in the drought- affected taluks and submit the assessment reports to the Government in the prescribed format forthwith.

The State Government will continue to assess the evolving drought situation on a weekly basis, in accordance with the parameters prescribed in the Manual for Drought Management, 2020, until the end of the Kharif 2026 season, taking into account the likely deterioration in crop conditions in view of the forecast rainfall during the second half of August and September.

Notifications for declaration of drought in additional taluks, as and when they qualify based on the prescribed assessment and Ground Truthing, will be issued throughout the Kharif 2026 season.

By Order and in the name of the Hon'ble Governor of Karnataka

(Manoj Kumar Meena, IAS) Relief Commissioner and Secretary to Government Revenue Department (Disaster Management, SSP and S&R)5 Annexure to Government Order No:RD 586 TNR 2026; Dated: 27-08-2026 List of Taluks declared as Severely Drought affected

R.N.I. No. KARBIL/2001/47147 POSTAL REGN. No. RNP/KA/BGS/2202/2017-19

Licensed to post without prepayment WPP No. 2977

Annexure to Government Order No: RD 586 TNR 2026; Dated:27-08-2026 List of Taluks declared as Moderately Drought affected

(Manoj Kumar Meena, IAS) Relief Commissioner and Secretary to Government Revenue Department (Disaster Management, SSP and S&R) ಮುದ(cid:206)ಕರು (cid:178)ಾಗೂ ಪ(cid:206)(cid:144)ಾಶಕರು:- ಸಂಕಲ(cid:163)ಾ(cid:297)(cid:144)ಾ(cid:312)ಗಳ(cid:133), ಕ(cid:163)ಾ(cid:143)ಟಕ (cid:170)ಾಜ(cid:205)ಪತ(cid:206), ಸ(cid:144)ಾ(cid:143)(cid:312) (cid:144)ೇಂದ(cid:206) ಮುದ(cid:206)(cid:158)ಾಲಯ, (cid:166)ೆಂಗಳ(cid:136)ರು