Karnataka is grappling with one of its most severe drought crises in recent years, with an estimated 92 per cent loss in crop production, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said on Monday, 19 October 2026. The state government is preparing its third memorandum to the Centre seeking financial relief, with the document expected to be ready within a day or two.

Scale of the Crisis

Parameshwara, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, painted a stark picture of conditions across the state. The near-total collapse in crop production has had a cascading effect on fodder availability for livestock, compounding hardship for farming households already under stress. 'The situation is very serious. Although we have received some scattered rainfall recently, the impact of the drought in the state remains severe. There is an estimated 92 per cent loss in production, which has a consequential impact on fodder availability for livestock. People are struggling to get food, and livestock are not getting fodder,' he said.

Drinking Water Shortages Loom

Beyond food and fodder, the drought is threatening drinking water access across several districts. The state is currently supplying water through tankers and private borewells in multiple locations, but Parameshwara warned this stopgap may itself become unsustainable. 'If these sources themselves dry up, where will we get water from to supply through tankers? That is the situation we are facing. This is a very serious issue,' he said. Funds have already been released to address immediate shortages, with Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers tasked with overseeing relief measures in their respective jurisdictions.

State's Financial Burden and Central Demands

Karnataka has already spent approximately ₹1,200 crore to ₹1,250 crore on drought-related measures from its own resources. Parameshwara noted that the state had not yet received Central funds for works under the VB-G RAM G programme and has been bearing those costs independently. The government will formally declare drought-affected areas in line with Central guidelines and assess losses before applying for assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) framework. 'The Centre should release the funds. At least then, we will be able to provide assistance to our farmers and others who are facing difficulties,' Parameshwara said.

Delegation to Visit Delhi

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Parameshwara are expected to lead a delegation to New Delhi to press the Centre for relief, with the schedule for the visit being finalised. The Centre had reportedly suggested sending an all-party delegation, but the Opposition has expressed unwillingness to participate. The government is now deliberating on how to proceed in light of that stance. This is Karnataka's third attempt to secure Central drought relief — underscoring both the gravity of the situation and the Centre-state friction over fund releases that has marked the relationship in recent months.

Political Undercurrent

Parameshwara also addressed a political controversy involving Chief Minister Shivakumar and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy over allegations linked to a sting operation, describing the episode as 'unfortunate'. He called for restraint from all sides, saying public representatives must weigh the impact of their statements carefully. 'The Union Minister must think about his own personality, position and stature, as well as the impact of his statements. The Chief Minister and those in positions of authority must also consider the situation. All of this is becoming unpleasant,' he said. The remarks signal that even as the government battles a humanitarian crisis, internal political tensions remain unresolved.