Deve Gowda demands urgent flood relief as Karnataka crisis deepens

A political ultimatum meets a humanitarian crisis. With three districts in dire straits, Gowda's 48-hour deadline puts Karnataka's leaders on the spot.

, and Administrator

2026 March 22 . 1:05 PM

1 min read

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Deve Gowda demands urgent flood relief as Karnataka crisis deepens

Former Prime Minister and JD-S leader H.D. Deve Gowda has demanded urgent action over devastating floods in Kalyana Karnataka. He warned that three of the six affected districts now face a 'critical' or 'catastrophic' situation. Meanwhile, his party has announced a new poll alliance with the BJP for upcoming elections in the state.

Speaking on March 22, 2026, Gowda highlighted the severity of the floods, noting over 50 deaths and widespread infrastructure damage. He called on the Karnataka government to treat the crisis as an emergency and avoid political disputes. The districts of Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Vijayapura, and Koppal remain severely impacted, with official reports labelling three of them as 'critical' or 'catastrophic'.

Gowda has given the state government a 48-hour deadline to submit a detailed report on flood relief measures. He also announced plans to visit the affected regions within the next three to four days to review aid efforts and meet displaced families.

In a separate development, the JD-S leader confirmed a new electoral pact with the BJP for all future Karnataka elections. Despite this alliance, he stressed that his personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains unchanged. The JD-S is also targeting 50-60 seats in Bengaluru's upcoming civic polls.

The Karnataka government now faces pressure to deliver a full flood relief assessment within two days. Gowda's visit to the region will likely bring further scrutiny to recovery efforts. Meanwhile, the JD-S-BJP alliance reshapes the political landscape ahead of key elections.