El Nino-induced poor rainfall and prolonged dry spells prompted the government on Saturday to declare drought in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas (74%), across 34 of 36 districts – the widest coverage in a decade.The affected talukas meet conditions for Trigger 1 (first threshold) of the Centre’s Drought Management Code 2016. This refers to rainfall of below 75% and a 21-day gap in the rain. Subsequent triggers include extent of sowing, ground water level, soil moisture and vegetation index.The state government has announced twelve relief measures for the impacted regions. Crop compensation will be declared separately once the panchanamas are completed. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had emphasised that the current announcement is based on a preliminary assessment of the drought and more talukas could be added later.“In this drought situation, farmers, agricultural labourers and working people in the state will be at the centre of our relief efforts,” said Fadnavis.Officials said the early declaration was made to provide immediate relief. Drought is usually declared by end-October after crop-damage panchnamas.The worst affected region is Vidarbha (comprising Nagpur and Amravati revenue divisions) and Marathwada (now known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar). In Vidarbha, 95 talukas are affected followed by Marathwada (74), North Maharashtra (49), Western Maharashtra (35) and Konkan (12).The worst affected districts are Yavatmal in Vidarbha (16 talukas), followed by Jalgaon in North Maharashtra (15 talukas), and Nanded in Marathwada, Ahilyanagar in North Maharashtra and Amravati and Nagpur in Vidarbha (14 talukas each).The relief measures and concessions to the affected areas include concessions in land revenue, restructuring of crop loans, stay on recovery of agriculture-related loans, and concessions in current electricity bills for agricultural pumps. Farmers in these talukas will also be entitled to a waiver of examination fees for their school and college students, as well as relaxations in norms under NREGS works that provide rural employment.The state government has also assured that tankers will be deployed for drinking water, electricity to agricultural pumps will not be disconnected, food grains and fodder for livestock will be arranged, water will be provided for livestock, and additional water conservation works will be undertaken. State cooperation minister Babasaheb Patil generated controversy when asked how long it would take for help to reach farmers. “It will take a little time,” he told the media in Parbhani.With the El Nino factor resulting in poor rainfall in the state and prolonged dry spells, govt declared drought conditions in 265 of the 358 talukas (part of district) or 74% of the state on Saturday. This is a much wider expanse than the droughts declared in the state over the last decade. The talukas are located in 34 of the state’s 36 districts.An announcement this early is an exception made in an effort to route immediate relief given the severity of the crisis, officials said. Drought is usually declared by the end of October after conducting panchnamas to assess the extent of crop damage.“Based on the rainfall deficit and other factors since June, the report of the agriculture commissioner for Kharif 2026 season states 265 talukas face a drought situation,” the govt resolution states.The opposition feared an eyewash. “Why should there be a delay in help reaching the farmers? The govt is fooling the farmers,” said Congress’s Vijay Wadettiwar. In response, rural development minister Jaykumar Gore said, “The govt has shown great sensitivity in declaring drought in 265 talukas.”Relief minister Makarand Patil said added that farmers would receive compensation in their bank accounts before Diwali.
