New Delhi/Bengaluru: The central government released Rs 1235.5 Crore and Rs 1712.1 Crore to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu respectively based on the recommendations of a high powered committee from the National Disaster Management Fund.

Both the states had sought relief from the Centre to fight drought and cyclonic storm damages. A central team had visited Karnataka earlier and submitted its report on the prevailing severe drought situation in the state.

Centre had earlier released Rs 450 Crore to Karnataka which is facing the worst drought in recent years. With this release, the National Disaster Management Fund is left with only Rs 96.92 Crore.

The total amount received by the state till date adds up to Rs 1782.44 Crore. Most of the state dams ( 9 in number ) have storage less than 20 percent which is insufficient to meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru during this summer, considering the severity of the situation.

The state government has already declared around 160-176 taluks as drought hit in the entire state.