Maharashtra has declared drought conditions in 265 of its 358 talukas after inadequate monsoon rainfall disrupted the 2026 Kharif season, prompting the state government to roll out a broad relief package for farmers, agricultural workers and rural communities. Neighbouring state Karnataka has already declared drought in 177 of it 240 talukas.
In Maharashtra, the Relief and Rehabilitation Department issued a Government Resolution (GR) on Saturday after the affected talukas met the criteria under Trigger-1 of the Drought Management Code, 2016. The decision followed a preliminary assessment submitted by the Agriculture Commissioner. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said that the actual assistance to farmers would be decided after the ground-level assessment.
District Collectors have been directed to begin panchnamas, or field-level assessments, to determine crop losses. Officials will also collect geotagged photographs carrying GPS coordinates of affected farmland before submitting detailed reports through the Agriculture Commissioner.
The drought declaration covers nearly three-fourths of Maharashtra’s talukas, with affected areas spread across all six administrative divisions. The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division accounts for 74 drought-hit talukas, followed by Amravati with 56 and Nashik with 49. Pune division has 35 affected talukas, while Nagpur and Konkan divisions account for 39 and 12 respectively.
The relief measures include a waiver of land revenue and restructuring of eligible agricultural loans. Recovery of agriculture-related bank loans will also remain suspended in the affected areas. Concessions on electricity bills for agricultural pumps above 7.5 horsepower have been announced, while consumption up to 7.5 HP is already covered by a waiver.
Students in drought-affected areas will receive relief through exemption from school and college examination fees. The government has also ordered drinking-water tanker supplies wherever shortages emerge and directed authorities to protect agricultural pump electricity connections from disconnection.
To address food and livestock concerns, the administration will ensure adequate grain supplies for farming communities and agricultural labourers. Measures have also been announced to secure fodder availability, including fodder camps where necessary.
The government has further directed departments to accelerate water-conservation projects, including check dams, while preparing plans for drinking water and livestock needs.
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane confirmed the declaration. Pawar, during a visit to drought-affected villages in Nanded, said the government would support farmers. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have also visited affected regions and assured assistance to communities facing the agricultural crisis.