Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Centre Forms Team to Assess Maharashtra Drought and Relief Needs
Maharashtra is facing a drought, which means there is not enough rain and crops have been badly affected.
Reports say 265 of the state’s 358 talukas are affected, though they describe the status in slightly different ways.
The central government has formed a team to visit affected places and check how serious the problem is.
Muktanand Agrawal will lead the team, which includes representatives from 10 departments and institutions.
The team will work with the Maharashtra government and use official drought guidelines.
It will recommend ways to help farmers, including possible disaster-fund assistance.
It may also suggest quick steps to reduce harm and longer-term rehabilitation.
The assessment is intended to help the Centre consider support for affected farmers.
The Centre has formed a team to assess drought conditions in Maharashtra and recommend relief and rehabilitation measures.
The team will be led by Muktanand Agrawal and include representatives from 10 central departments and institutions.
It will visit affected areas with the state government and assess conditions under the Drought Management Manual, 2020.
Reports say 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas are affected; one describes them as declared drought-affected, while another says drought-like conditions were reported there.
The team’s recommendations may cover assistance from disaster response funds, immediate mitigation and longer-term rehabilitation.
- Who
- A central inter-ministerial team led by Muktanand Agrawal, working with the Maharashtra government.
- What
- The team will assess drought conditions and recommend possible relief, mitigation and rehabilitation measures.
- When
- The team is expected to visit affected areas shortly; the Maharashtra government declared drought in 265 talukas on September 26, with no year specified in the articles.
- Where
- Drought-affected areas of Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- To assess the severity of the drought and inform consideration of assistance for affected farmers.
- Team leader
- Muktanand Agrawal, Joint Secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Team composition
- Representatives from 10 central government departments and institutions
- Affected area
- 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas; reports differ on whether these were declared drought-affected or described as having drought-like conditions
- Reported drought impact
- Nearly 80 per cent of the state is described as under the shadow or impact of drought
- Assessment framework
- Drought Management Manual, 2020
- Potential assistance
- Recommendations may address the National Disaster Response Fund and State Disaster Response Fund
- Other recommendations
- Immediate mitigation measures and longer-term rehabilitation
- State request
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis submitted an interim report seeking assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund
