The Maharashtra state government has officially declared a drought in 265 of its 358 sub-districts (talukas) following an assessment of rainfall deficits and prolonged dry conditions across the region. The decision was formalized through a government resolution following an official evaluation.
The declaration relies on a report submitted by the state agriculture commissioner on September 24, 2026, which invoked the standard drought-assessment procedures under Maharashtra’s drought management framework. The state confirmed that affected areas met Trigger-I indicators established under the Drought Code, which require a dry spell exceeding 21 consecutive days and a seasonal rainfall deficit greater than 25 percent.
In response to the conditions, the state government outlined a relief package comprising 12 specific measures and administrative concessions for affected agricultural communities. Key economic relief mechanisms include concessions on land revenue, the restructuring of existing crop loans, a deferment on the recovery of outstanding agriculture-related loans, and discounts on current electricity bills for agricultural pumps. The government stated that electricity supplies to agricultural pumps will not be disconnected during the relief period.
Additional measures target social support and employment in rural areas. Students from farming families in the designated talukas will receive waivers for school and college examination fees. Norms under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) are being relaxed to expand rural work opportunities.
The state government has also committed to logistical interventions to manage water and food shortages. Emergency water tankers will be deployed to supply drinking water, while provisions are being organized to ensure adequate food grains and livestock fodder. Specific allocations of water for livestock will be established alongside an expansion of local water conservation projects.
To formalize direct financial aid for lost yields, local officials have been instructed to conduct field surveys. Surveyors are required to document damaged crop areas using photographs and GPS coordinates before submitting comprehensive crop-condition reports to the government via the agriculture commissioner. Direct financial assistance for kharif crop damage in the 265 drought-affected sub-districts will be finalized and announced in a separate government decision once survey procedures are concluded.
The drought declaration covers significant portions of eastern, central, and northern Maharashtra. In the Marathwada region, affected sub-districts include 14 in Nanded, 11 in Beed, 10 in Latur, nine in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, nine in Parbhani, eight in Jalna, eight in Dharashiv, and five in Hingoli.
In North Maharashtra, the affected list spans 15 talukas in Jalgaon, 14 in Ahilyanagar, 10 in Nashik, six in Nandurbar, and four in Dhule. In Western Maharashtra, the impact covers 11 sub-districts in Solapur, eight in Pune, six in Satara, six in Kolhapur, and four in Sangli.
Sources
Hindustan Times – India News: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-announces-drought-in-265-of-358-subdistricts-101790406637452.html
Source: Hindustan Times – India News
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Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
