Bengaluru: Revenue minister Kagodu Thimmappa said on Thursday that the number of taluks that have been affected by drought is likely to go up to 103 from the previously assessed 68 according to available statistics.

The cabinet sub-committee on drought relief on Wednesday had recommended the state government to declare 68 taluks as drought-hit. A formal announcement is expected in a few days.

Mysuru, Mandya and Gadag were among the worst-hit districts as the state is reeling under the impact of monsoon failure. Thimmappa said that several of the hoblis had been severely affected by the drought conditions and he had sought more information from the officials. “The sub-committee will meet again next Tuesday and review the new information and decide on the number of taluks that have been drought-hit,” he said.

Thimmappa also said that rules for installing borewells would also be made flexible so that farmers could go ahead with it. Attempts will also be made to provide relief to farmers who have lost crops and the government will try to provide fodder and drinking water, the minister added.

As many as 137 out of 176 taluks were declared as drought-hit last year due to the failure of both kharif and rabi crops. The state had sought relief of Rs 2,528 crore for the crop loss during kharif season of 2015, but a 10-member central team, which visited the drought-hit areas, recommended Rs 1,541 crore as compensation. For the rabi season losses, central assistance of Rs 1,417 crore was sought, out of which the Union government has approved Rs 723 crore. The amount is yet to disbursed by the Centre.