Excess rainfall and flooding in northern Karnataka have caused significant damage to crops over an area exceeding 9.6 lakh hectares. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah conducted an aerial survey of the affected districts, including Kalaburgi and Yadgiri, and reported that preliminary assessments indicate damage to 9,60,578 hectares. This includes approximately 8,88,953 hectares of standing agriculture crops and 71,626 hectares of horticulture crops.
The heavy rains and subsequent flooding have led to severe impacts on kharif crops, while the delayed withdrawal of the monsoon poses additional challenges for local farmers. In Kalaburgi, according to NDRF guidelines, dryland farmers will receive compensation of ₹8,500 per hectare, alongside an additional relief of ₹8,500 from the state, totaling ₹17,000 per hectare. Meanwhile, farmers with irrigated farmland affected by the rain and floods will receive a combined relief of ₹25,500 per hectare (₹17,000 from the NDRF and ₹8,500 additional from the state). Those suffering losses from perennial crops will receive ₹22,500 per hectare, plus an additional ₹8,500 from the state.
The South-West monsoon has resulted in an 8 percent cumulative surplus rainfall nationwide during June-September. However, virtually all districts in North Karnataka recorded surplus rainfall between 39 and 79 percent, far surpassing the national average. The Indian Meteorological Department’s data shows that Vijayapura district experienced 79 percent excess rainfall, followed by Bagalkote at 60 percent, Bidar at 55 percent, Kalaburgi at 33 percent, Yadgir at 41 percent, Raichur at 41 percent, Belagavi at 44 percent, Vijaynagar at 39 percent, Gadag at 45 percent, and Dharwad at 9 percent.
Basavaraj Ingin, President of the Karnataka Pradesh Red Gram Growers Association, reported that standing kharif crops including red gram (tur), black matpe, green gram, cotton, and soybean have been adversely affected by the rains and flooding. “About 90 percent of the crops have been impacted. It is a total crop failure for the farmers this year in the region. There’s nothing left that the growers could harvest,” Ingin stated.
Farmers are also concerned about the potential delayed withdrawal of the monsoon, which could further jeopardize remaining standing crops. “Though the rains have slowed down a bit, there is a forecast of rainfall in a fortnight. There’s a concern that it could trigger wilt disease in tur,” Ingin added.
Ingin emphasized the urgency for compensatory measures, stating, “Farmers who have suffered losses due to excess rains and flooding should be compensated immediately. We are demanding that farmers be given relief of ₹25,000 per acre without delay.”
Published on September 30, 2025.
