Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Maharashtra To Issue Preliminary Drought Notification By Saturday
Maharashtra has received too little rain in many areas, hurting farmers and crops.
The state government plans to announce which areas are affected by drought by Saturday.
Officials will begin checking damaged farms on the ground on Wednesday.
Soybean, maize, cotton, sorghum and paddy are among the affected crops.
The government says it will start helping farmers without waiting for money from the central government.
It will later ask the Centre for additional disaster-relief funds.
Officials will also work on providing drinking water and food for animals.
Ministers and lawmakers will visit farms to understand the problems faced by communities.
Maharashtra is expected to issue a preliminary drought notification by Saturday after deficient rainfall damaged crops.
North Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha are among the regions facing a drought-like situation, while paddy was affected in Konkan.
Ground-level crop damage assessments, or panchnamas, are scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
The state will begin relief efforts without waiting for Centre assistance and later seek funds under National Disaster Response Fund norms.
Drinking water and livestock fodder are immediate priorities, with officials warning of pressure for the next seven to eight months.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with district officials, ministers and legislators.
- What
- The state is preparing a preliminary drought notification and relief measures after deficient rainfall and crop damage.
- When
- The notification is expected by Saturday; ground assessments and field visits are scheduled to begin Wednesday. Government data cited in the report covers rainfall through September 21.
- Where
- Maharashtra, particularly North Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha and Konkan; officials will visit Latur, Dharashiv and Solapur districts.
- Why
- Deficient rainfall has damaged crops and may create shortages of drinking water and livestock fodder.
- Expected notification
- A preliminary drought notification is expected before Saturday.
- Rainfall shortfall
- At least 17 of Maharashtra’s 36 districts had received less than 75% of expected rainfall as of September 21.
- Affected crops
- Soybean, maize, cotton, sorghum and Konkan paddy were reported damaged.
- Field assessments
- Panchnamas of damaged crops are scheduled to begin Wednesday.
- Immediate priorities
- Drinking water and fodder for livestock.
- Relief funding
- The state will begin relief efforts independently and later submit a proposal under National Disaster Response Fund norms.
- Monitoring committee
- A Cabinet sub-committee led by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule will review field reports weekly.