Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Maharashtra Plans Months of Drought Relief as Crop Losses Mount
Maharashtra has had a long period with little rain, which hurt crops and dried up some water sources.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says the state is planning help for the next six to eight months.
That help may include jobs, food, drinking water and food for animals.
The state says drinking water for people and livestock will come before water for other uses.
It plans to use tankers and technology to help distribute water.
Officials estimate that current fodder supplies may last 90 to 120 days, so the state plans to produce and buy more.
Camps for animals may be set up where needed.
Central teams visited affected areas, and the state plans to send the Centre a detailed request for drought relief.
The government also says it will coordinate with the Centre to help insured farmers receive crop-insurance benefits.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Maharashtra is planning six to eight months of employment, food security, drinking water and fodder assistance.
A nearly two-month dry spell during flowering damaged soybean and affected cotton, tur, sugarcane and other crops, according to officials.
The state says available water is reserved for drinking by people and livestock until August 2027, with other uses secondary.
Fodder stocks are estimated to last 90–120 days; plans include producing and procuring more fodder and opening camps where needed.
Central teams assessed drought impacts in affected districts, and Maharashtra says it will submit a detailed memorandum seeking relief.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the state government and Central drought assessment teams.
- What
- Maharashtra is planning drought assistance and preparing a detailed memorandum to seek Central relief.
- When
- The planning covers six to eight months; the meeting was held on Sunday, and drinking-water reserves are planned through August 2027.
- Where
- Maharashtra; teams assessed drought-affected districts including Ahilyanagar, Solapur, Jalna, Beed, Dharashiv, Washim and Yavatmal. Another account also lists Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
- Why
- Inadequate rainfall and a nearly two-month dry spell during crop flowering damaged crops, while water shortages threaten further cultivation and rural livelihoods.
Government Plans
Reported Scale of Need
Water supply
Government Plans
The state says drinking water for people and livestock is the priority and is planning technology-supported tanker distribution.
Reported Scale of Need
An official said about 1,000 tankers were being used daily in three districts and that around 5,000 could be needed daily in three to four months.
Farm support
Government Plans
The state plans employment and food-security schemes, fodder measures, water-body work and coordination on crop-insurance benefits.
Reported Scale of Need
The reports describe serious kharif crop losses, bleak prospects for making them up through later sowing, and farmers' requests for maximum compensation.
- Relief planning period
- Six to eight months
- Planned assistance
- Employment, food security, drinking water and livestock fodder
- Drinking-water priority
- Available water reserved for people and livestock until August 2027
- Estimated fodder stocks
- 90–120 days
- Crops reported affected
- Soybean, cotton, tur and sugarcane; one report also mentions oranges and other crops
- Tankers
- An official cited around 1,000 deployed daily in three districts, with about 5,000 potentially needed daily in three to four months
- Central assessment
- Teams conducted field visits and crop-damage assessments in drought-affected areas
- Relief request
- A detailed, data-supported memorandum is to be submitted; an advance memorandum had already been submitted
