(1)

Ļ¯ೇಷ ªಾಜÍ ಪĦÎೆ

Proceedings of the Government of Karnataka

Sub:

Declaration of 101 taluks as drought affected for the Kharif 2026 season

(assessment period 1^st June 2026 to 12^th 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

******

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 21^st 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

¨sÁUÀ – 1

Part – I

, 27

, 2026

1948)

BENGALURU, THURSDAY, 27, AUGUST, 2026 ( BHADRAPADA , 05, SHAKAVARSHA, 1948)

. 776

No. 776

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 geographical

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)

Annexure to Government Order No:RD 586 TNR 2026; Dated: 27-08-2026

List of Taluks declared as Severely Drought affected

Sl. No

District

Taluk

Drought

Category

Bengaluru Urban

Anekal

Severe

Bengaluru Urban

Bengaluru North

Severe

Bengaluru Urban

Bengaluru East

Severe

Bengaluru Urban

Yelahanka

Severe

Bengaluru Rural

Hosakote

Severe

Bengaluru Rural

Nelamangala

Severe

Bengaluru South

Magadi

Severe

Bengaluru South

Ramanagara

Severe

Kolar

Bangarapet

Severe

Kolar

Severe

Kolar

Malur

Severe

Kolar

Mulabagilu

Severe

Kolar

Srinivasapura

Severe

Kolar

Kgf

Severe

Chikkaballapura

Bagepalli

Severe

Chikkaballapura

Severe

Chikkaballapura

Chintamani

Severe

Chikkaballapura

Gauribidanur

Severe

Chikkaballapura

Gudibanda

Severe

Chikkaballapura

Sidlaghatta

Severe

Chikkaballapura

Cheluru

Severe

Chikkaballapura

Manchenahalli

Severe

Tumakuru

Chikkanayakanahalli

Severe

Tumakuru

Gubbi

Severe

Tumakuru

Koratagere

Severe

Tumakuru

Kunigal

Severe

Tumakuru

Madhugiri

Severe

Tumakuru

Pavagada

Severe

Tumakuru

Sira

Severe

Tumakuru

Severe

Tumakuru

Turuvekere

Severe

Chitradurga

Challakere

Severe

Chitradurga

Hiriyur

Severe

Chitradurga

Hosadurga

Severe

Davanagere

Channagiri

Severe

Davanagere

Honnali

Severe

Davanagere

Nyamati

Severe

Chamarajanagara

Severe

Chamarajanagara

Gundlupet

Severe

Chamarajanagara

Kollegal

Severe

Chamarajanagara

Yelandur

Severe

Chamarajanagara

Hanur

Severe

Mysuru

Heggadadevanakote

Severe

Mysuru

Hunsur

Severe

Mysuru

Krishnarajanagar

Severe

Mysuru

Severe

Mysuru

Nanjanagud

Severe

Mysuru

T.Narasipura

Severe

Mysuru

Saraguru

Severe

Mysuru

Saligrama

Severe

Mandya

Krishnarajapet

Severe

Mandya

Malavalli

Severe

Mandya

Severe

Mandya

Nagamangala

Severe

Mandya

Srirangapatna

Severe

Ballari

Severe

Ballari

Sandur

Severe

Ballari

Kurugodu

Severe

Ballari

Kampli

Severe

Koppala

Gangavathi

Severe

Koppala

Kukanuru

Severe

Koppala

Kanakagiri

Severe

Raichur

Deodurga

Severe

Raichur

Maski

Severe

Raichur

Arakera

Severe

Bidar

Severe

Bidar

Basavakalyan

Severe

Bidar

Humnabad

Severe

Bidar

Chittaguppa

Severe

Bagalkote

Severe

Bagalkote

Bilgi

Severe

Bagalkote

Jamkhandi

Severe

Bagalkote

Guledagudda

Severe

Bagalkote

Ilkal

Severe

Vijayapura

Severe

Vijayapura

Nidagundi

Severe

Vijayapura

Kolhara

Severe

Gadag

Gajendragad

Severe

Hassan

Arkalgud

Severe

Hassan

Arasikere

Severe

Hassan

Channarayapatna

Severe

Hassan

Severe

Hassan

Holenarasipura

Severe

Chikkamagaluru

Ajjampura

Severe

Yadgir

Shahapur

Severe

Vijayanagar

Hosapete

Severe

Vijayanagar

Hadagali

Severe

Vijayanagar

Hagaribommanahalli

Severe

Vijayanagar

Harappanahalli

Severe

Annexure to Government Order No: RD 586 TNR 2026; Dated:27-08-2026

List of Taluks declared as Moderately Drought affected

Sl. No

District

Taluk

Drought

Category

Bengaluru Rural

Devanahalli

Moderate

Davanagere

Moderate

Mandya

Maddur

Moderate

Mandya

Pandavapura

Moderate

Raichur

Lingsugur

Moderate

Raichur

Moderate

Chikkamagaluru

Koppa

Moderate

Chikkamagaluru

Narasimharajapura

Moderate

Chikkamagaluru

Tarikere

Moderate

Kodagu

Somwarpet

Moderate

Uttara Kannada

Mundgod

Moderate

Uttara Kannada

Yellapur

Moderate

(Manoj Kumar Meena, IAS)

Relief Commissioner and

Secretary to Government

Revenue Department

(Disaster Management, SSP and S&R)

ಮುದÎಕರು ²ಾಗೂ ಪÎಾಶಕರು:- ಸಂಕಲ£ಾĩಾĸಗಳ…, ಕ£ಾಟಕ ªಾಜÍಪತÎ, ಸಾĸ ೇಂದÎ ಮುದÎžಾಲಯ, ¦ೆಂಗಳˆರು

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

Licensed to post without prepayment WPP No. 297

P S BASAVARAJU

Digitally signed by P S BASAVARAJU

DN: c=IN, o=Centre for e-Governance,

2.5.4.20=5a92775953e06196db55a8e9436c5ce46372fb04852626c1953468548e18163f, ou=Department of Printing

Stationery and Publications,CID - 7113982, postalCode=560001, st=Karnataka,

serialNumber=b7429a87a8e44802386702411c902124eb854aec60c6b3a22d9da33f77076720, cn=P S BASAVARAJU

Date: 2026.08.27 17:11:18 +05'30'