Bengaluru
The Karnataka government is set to approach the Centre for financial assistance following severe floods that have caused widespread devastation across northern districts. Intense rainfall, coupled with water releases from Maharashtra reservoirs, has led to massive crop losses and extensive damage to infrastructure, particularly in the Bhima River basin. Districts such as Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Bidar, and Vijayapura have been the worst affected, with crops over approximately 7.24 lakh hectares initially reported destroyed.
A joint survey was conducted to assess the damage, but continued rains toward the end of September necessitated a second evaluation. The revised assessment estimates total crop losses across the affected districts at 12.54 lakh hectares. Once the second survey is completed, the Karnataka government plans to formally request financial aid from the central government to support relief and rehabilitation efforts, following guidelines set by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Sources cited by Deccan Herald indicate that the letter to the Centre is likely to be drafted by the third week of October. While the government prepares for relief operations, concerns have emerged over potential political friction between the state and Centre. A similar situation occurred in 2023 during widespread droughts affecting 216 taluks, when Karnataka requested Rs 18,171 crore in aid. Delays in fund disbursement then forced the state to send a delegation to Delhi, and the matter eventually reached the Supreme Court due to unresolved disputes.
With timely support from the Centre considered crucial for addressing farmers’ losses and infrastructure repair, the state aims to ensure that relief measures are implemented efficiently across the flood-hit regions.
