BENGALURU, Sept. 29 -- Three teams from Union government will visit Karnataka to assess the drought situation across the state following a request from state government, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said on Monday.

Parameshwara said one team would cover Tumakuru, Chitradurga and Davanagere, another would visit districts in north Karnataka, while the third would assess the Mysuru region, including Mandya, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar.

Karnataka has so far declared 177 taluks drought affected, with the number expected to cross 200 as further assessments are completed.

The state has received 642 mm of rainfall against the normal 852 mm between June and September, resulting in a 36% deficit. The shortage has been more severe in South ...