Union Government Releases Over ₹1,950 Crore to Aid Monsoon Floods In Maharashtra & Karnataka

The Union Government, under Home Minister Amit Shah, has approved the release of over ₹1,950 crore as the second instalment of the Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the fiscal year 2025-26. Of this amount, ₹384 crore has been allocated to Karnataka and ₹1,566 crore to Maharashtra, to provide immediate relief to communities affected by heavy South-West monsoon rainfall and floods this year.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Central government is committed to supporting states impacted by floods, landslides, and cloudbursts. So far in 2025, the Centre has released over ₹13,603 crore to 27 states under SDRF and ₹2,189 crore to 15 states under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Additionally, more than ₹4,571 crore has been released from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 21 states, and ₹372 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to nine states. During the monsoon season, 199 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed across 30 states and union territories for rescue and relief operations.

In Maharashtra, persistent rains have caused widespread damage. Rivers such as the Mithi River breached danger levels, reaching 3.9 meters, leading to the evacuation of about 350 people in Mumbai alone. Reports indicate that ten people lost their lives in a 24-hour period, while more than 11,000 people were rescued as floods affected regions including Nashik and Marathwada.

In Karnataka, northern districts experienced severe flooding. Rivers like the Bhima and Doni rose to "extreme flooding" levels in Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, and Vijayapura, triggered by unusually high rainfall and dam water releases, according to the Indian Express.

The newly approved funds will enable state governments to enhance relief efforts, including providing compensation to affected families, rehabilitating flood-hit areas, and strengthening logistics for rescue operations. The MHA emphasized that state authorities must ensure swift disbursement and transparent use of the funds. With the monsoon season still active, officials continue to caution residents about the risk of further rainfall and flooding.

The timely release of these funds highlights the Central government's commitment to supporting front-line disaster response during the ongoing crisis.