Bengaluru, Oct 15: Puttur, Moodbidri and Mulki in Dakshina Kannada are among nine more taluks declared drought-affected in Karnataka, taking the state’s total to 226 out of 240 taluks.

The latest additions, announced on Wednesday, include Sakleshpur in Hassan district, which has been classified as severely affected. Khanapur in Belagavi, Hosanagara and Sagara in Shivamogga, Puttur, Moodbidri and Mulki in Dakshina Kannada, and Joida and Dandeli in Uttara Kannada have been categorised as moderately drought-affected.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, who holds the revenue portfolio, said the state government was preparing a final memorandum assessing drought-related losses and expected to complete the exercise within a week.

“The final estimate of the total loss caused by drought in the state will become clear once the final memorandum is prepared. Based on the assessed loss, the amount of relief to be sought will be calculated in accordance with NDRF guidelines,” he told reporters.

Parameshwara said the government would continue monitoring conditions in the remaining taluks. Areas meeting the prescribed criteria would be included in the drought-affected list in the next phase.

With nine additional taluks now included, 226 of Karnataka’s 240 taluks have been declared drought-affected.