New Delhi, Oct. 3 -- Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, to seek urgent central assistance to Karnataka farmers amid the drought situation in the state.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Kharge said Karnataka was facing one of its gravest drought situations in recent years, with a significant rainfall deficiency, widespread crop losses and distress among lakhs of farming families. He said the state had sought Rs 3,705.30 crore in assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) framework against estimated losses of Rs 18,748.23 crore.

Kharge listed six specific requests, including t...