Ramanagara, Sept. 14 -- Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday, September 14, said more than 200 taluks in Karnataka were facing drought-like conditions and assured that drought-hit taluks would be officially notified in accordance with the Centre's guidelines.

Speaking to reporters in Ramanagara, Shivakumar said the government had already declared 102 taluks as drought-affected, while assessments were continuing in other areas. He appealed to people not to panic or demand immediate declarations before the field-level assessment was completed.

"I have personally visited several places and reviewed the drought situation," Shivakumar said, adding that crop losses had been reported in several areas and groundwater levels had declined con...