2026 Maharashtra drought
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| Date | September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | Maharashtra, India |
| Type | Drought |
| Cause | Deficient and uneven monsoon rainfall |
| Outcome | Drought declaration and relief measures |
The 2026 Maharashtra drought is a drought affecting parts of the Indian state of Maharashtra during 2026. It followed deficient and uneven rainfall during the 2026 South Asian monsoon season, affecting agriculture, water availability and rural livelihoods in several parts of the state.
On 26 September 2026, the Government of Maharashtra declared 265 of the state's 358 talukas drought-affected. The declaration covered areas across 32 districts and followed the activation of Trigger-1 under the state's drought-management framework.[1]
Government and administration
At the time of the drought declaration, Devendra Fadnavis was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar were Deputy Chief Ministers.
The drought response was administered primarily through the Relief and Rehabilitation Department in coordination with the Agriculture Department, district administrations and local authorities.
The department's official directory lists Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister, Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar as deputy chief ministers, Makarand Jadhav Patil as minister for relief and rehabilitation, and Ashish Jaiswal as minister of state for relief and rehabilitation. Rajesh Aggarwal is listed as Chief Secretary of Maharashtra and Vinita Singhal as additional chief secretary for disaster management, relief and rehabilitation.[2]
Background
Maharashtra has a highly variable rainfall pattern and contains several regions vulnerable to drought. Marathwada and Vidarbha are particularly susceptible to drought and drought-like conditions.
Agriculture in large parts of the state is dependent on the southwest monsoon. Deficient rainfall and prolonged dry spells can reduce soil moisture, agricultural production and the availability of water for domestic and livestock use.
The India Meteorological Department monitors rainfall across Maharashtra throughout the monsoon season."Statewise Rainfall". India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Development
Monsoon rainfall
During the 2026 monsoon season, Maharashtra experienced deficient and uneven rainfall. The rainfall deficit and prolonged breaks in rainfall contributed to worsening agricultural and water conditions in several regions.
The state recorded an 18.8% rainfall deficit between June and 18 September 2026, according to reporting based on government data."Maharashtra declares 265 talukas drought-affected". News On AIR. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Drought declaration
On 26 September 2026, the Maharashtra government formally declared drought in 265 of the state's 358 talukas.
The declaration followed the activation of Trigger-1 under the state's Drought Management Code. The assessment was based on rainfall deficiency, dry spells and other drought indicators identified by the Agriculture Department."Maharashtra declares 265 talukas drought-hit; crop loan restructuring, power concessions announced". Mint. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Geographic extent
The initial declaration covered 265 talukas across 32 districts.
| Division | Affected talukas |
|---|---|
| Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division | 74 |
| Amravati division | 56 |
| Nashik division | 49 |
| Nagpur division | 39 |
| Pune division | 35 |
| Konkan division | 12 |
| Total | 265 |
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division had the largest number of affected talukas, followed by Amravati, Nashik, Nagpur, Pune and Konkan divisions. The Konkan figure included talukas in Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts."Drought grips 74% of Maharashtra as 265 talukas declared affected". Rediff.com. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Causes
The principal factor associated with the drought was deficient and uneven monsoon rainfall.
Under Maharashtra's drought-management framework, Trigger-1 is associated with rainfall deficiency combined with a prolonged dry spell. The framework is intended to identify areas requiring drought-response measures."Maharashtra declares 265 talukas drought-hit; crop loan restructuring, power concessions announced". Mint. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Effects
Agriculture
Agriculture was among the sectors most affected by the rainfall deficit. Soybean, maize and cotton were among the crops reported to have suffered damage in affected areas.
District collectors were directed to begin crop-loss assessments and document affected agricultural areas through field surveys, photographs and geographical coordinates."Maharashtra declares 265 talukas drought-hit; crop loan restructuring, power concessions announced". Mint. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Water supply
Reduced rainfall increased pressure on drinking-water resources in affected rural areas.
The government's relief package included deployment of water tankers where necessary and arrangements for drinking water in areas experiencing shortages."Maharashtra declares 265 talukas drought-affected". News On AIR. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Livestock
Fodder and water availability became an additional concern for livestock owners in drought-affected rural areas.
The government included fodder arrangements and livestock-water planning among the announced relief measures."Maharashtra declares drought in 265 talukas, announces 12-point relief package". DD News. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Government response
Relief package
Following the drought declaration, the Maharashtra government announced a 12-point package of relief measures and concessions.
The measures included:
- concession in land revenue;
- restructuring of agricultural loans;
- postponement of recovery of agriculture-related loans;
- concessions on electricity bills for agricultural pumps;
- waiver of examination fees for eligible school and college students;
- relaxation of norms under the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme;
- deployment of water tankers where required;
- arrangements for drinking water;
- arrangements for fodder;
- arrangements for foodgrains;
- measures concerning electricity supply to agricultural pumps in water-scarce villages; and
- implementation of water-conservation measures.
"Maharashtra declares drought in 265 talukas, announces 12-point relief package". DD News. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Crop-loss assessment
District collectors were instructed to immediately begin crop-loss assessments in the affected talukas.
Officials were directed to conduct field inspections and prepare panchnamas documenting crop damage. Photographs and GPS coordinates were also to be collected as part of the assessment process. The reports were to be submitted through the Agriculture Commissioner for further consideration."Maharashtra declares 265 talukas drought-hit; crop loan restructuring, power concessions announced". Mint. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Financial assistance
The government did not announce a single consolidated amount of direct crop-loss compensation at the time of the initial drought declaration.
A separate government resolution was to be issued regarding financial assistance for crop losses after completion of the prescribed assessment procedure. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said the extent of financial assistance would be determined after ground-level assessment."Maharashtra declares 265 talukas drought-affected". News On AIR. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
The Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Department publishes assistance rates under the state's disaster-relief framework. For crop damage, the published rates include ₹8,500 per hectare for rainfed crops, ₹17,000 per hectare for irrigated or horticultural crops and ₹22,500 per hectare for perennial crops, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria and maximum area limits."Relief and Rehabilitation DBT". Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
The department also states that nearly ₹14,000 crore in relief had been disbursed to farmers since 2023. This figure is cumulative and does not represent a dedicated 2026 drought allocation."Relief and Rehabilitation DBT". Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Relief administration
The state's disaster-relief process involves several stages:
- Field-level panchnama and assessment.
- Submission of assessment information to the Tahsil administration.
- Compilation and verification at the district Collectorate.
- Preparation of proposals by the Divisional Commissioner.
- Government approval of eligible relief.
- Uploading beneficiary information to the relevant online system.
- Generation of a Vishisht Kramank (VK) number for eligible records.
- Completion of e-KYC.
- Transfer of approved assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer.
The Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Department states that approved assistance is transferred to eligible beneficiaries through Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts after completion of the prescribed verification process."Relief and Rehabilitation DBT". Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Political and public response
The drought declaration generated responses from political parties and public representatives concerning the scale and timing of financial assistance.
Opposition parties questioned the absence of immediate direct crop-loss compensation in the initial declaration and called for clarification regarding the amount and timing of assistance. The government stated that compensation for actual crop losses would be determined following field assessments and the prescribed procedure."Drought declared in 75% of Maharashtra, Opposition slams Fadnavis government for withholding instant cash relief". The Indian Express. 27 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
See also
- Drought in India
- Climate of Maharashtra
- Agriculture in Maharashtra
- Marathwada
- Vidarbha
- Government of Maharashtra
- 2023 Maharashtra drought
Background
Maharashtra has a highly variable rainfall pattern and contains several regions vulnerable to drought. Parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha are particularly susceptible to drought and drought-like conditions because of their dependence on the southwest monsoon and regional rainfall variability.
The state uses a drought-management framework to identify areas requiring intervention. The framework considers rainfall deficiency, prolonged dry spells and other agricultural and water-related indicators.
The India Meteorological Department monitors rainfall across Maharashtra throughout the monsoon season."Statewise Rainfall". India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Development
Monsoon rainfall
The 2026 monsoon season was characterised by uneven rainfall across Maharashtra. Prolonged dry spells and rainfall deficiency contributed to deteriorating agricultural and water conditions in several regions.
According to reports based on the state government's assessment, the drought declaration followed rainfall deficiency and other drought indicators observed from June through 26 September 2026."Drought grips 74% of Maharashtra as 265 talukas declared affected". Rediff.com. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Drought declaration
On 26 September 2026, the Maharashtra government formally declared drought in 265 of the state's 358 talukas.
The declaration followed the activation of Trigger-1 under the state's drought-management framework. The Agriculture Commissioner submitted an assessment identifying drought conditions in the affected talukas, following which the Relief and Rehabilitation Department issued the government resolution."Drought Declared in 265 Talukas Across Maharashtra". Deccan Chronicle. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Geographic extent
The initial declaration covered 265 talukas across Maharashtra.
The government-reported distribution included:
| Administrative division | Drought-affected talukas |
|---|---|
| Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division | 74 |
| Amravati division | 56 |
| Nashik division | 49 |
| Nagpur division | 39 |
| Pune division | 35 |
| Konkan division | 12 |
| Total | 265 |
The largest number of affected talukas was reported in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, followed by the Amravati, Nashik, Nagpur, Pune and Konkan divisions."Maharashtra declares drought in 265 talukas, announces 12-point relief package". DD News. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Causes
The principal factor associated with the 2026 drought was deficient and uneven monsoon rainfall.
The state's drought-management framework uses rainfall deficiency and prolonged dry spells alongside agricultural and water-related indicators when determining drought conditions. The first trigger is intended to identify areas requiring immediate drought-response measures.
Reports based on the government's assessment stated that the affected talukas experienced rainfall deficiency and prolonged dry spells during the monsoon period."Drought grips 74% of Maharashtra as 265 talukas declared affected". Rediff.com. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Effects
Agriculture
Agriculture was among the sectors most affected by the rainfall deficit. Soybean, maize and cotton were among the crops reported to have suffered damage in affected areas.
The government directed district administrations to begin crop-loss assessments in the declared talukas. Officials were instructed to document crop conditions through field-level assessments and panchnamas."Maharashtra declares drought in 265 talukas, announces 12-point relief package". DD News. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Water supply
Reduced rainfall increased pressure on drinking-water resources in affected rural areas.
The government's relief measures included arrangements for drinking-water supply, including deployment of water tankers where shortages occurred. The government also directed authorities to plan for drinking water and livestock water requirements in affected areas."Maharashtra declares drought in 265 talukas, announces 12-point relief package". DD News. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Livestock
Fodder and water availability became an additional concern for livestock owners in drought-affected rural areas.
The state government's relief package included measures intended to maintain the availability of fodder and water for livestock."Drought Declared in 265 Talukas Across Maharashtra". Deccan Chronicle. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Government response
Relief package
Following the drought declaration, the Maharashtra government announced a 12-point package of relief measures and concessions for affected farmers, agricultural labourers, students, livestock owners and rural communities.
The measures included:
- exemption from land revenue in affected areas;
- restructuring of agricultural loans;
- postponement of recovery of agriculture-related loans;
- concessions on electricity bills for agricultural pumps;
- waiver or concessions relating to examination fees for students;
- relaxation of norms for rural employment guarantee works;
- deployment of water tankers in areas experiencing drinking-water shortages;
- arrangements for foodgrain supplies;
- arrangements for adequate fodder for livestock;
- measures to prevent disconnection of agricultural pump electricity supplies in affected villages;
- implementation of water-conservation works; and
- planning for drinking-water and livestock-water requirements.
"Maharashtra declares drought in 265 talukas, announces 12-point relief package". DD News. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Crop-loss assessment
District collectors were instructed to immediately begin crop-loss assessments in the affected talukas.
The assessment process includes field-level panchnamas and the collection of photographs and geographical coordinates of affected agricultural areas. The resulting reports are submitted through the Agriculture Commissioner for further consideration by the state government."Drought Declared in 265 Talukas Across Maharashtra". Deccan Chronicle. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Financial assistance
The government did not announce a single consolidated 2026 crop-loss compensation amount at the time of the initial drought declaration. Instead, the government stated that financial assistance for crop losses would be determined after completion of the prescribed assessment procedure and would be announced through a separate government decision."Maharashtra announces drought in 265 of 358 sub-districts". Hindustan Times. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
The Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Department maintains a disaster-relief system under which eligible agricultural crop losses can receive assistance according to government-prescribed rates and criteria. The department states that, from 2023 onwards, approximately ₹14,000 crore had been disbursed to farmers under its relief mechanisms. This figure represents cumulative disbursements since 2023 and is not a specific allocation for the 2026 drought."Relief and Rehabilitation DBT". Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Relief administration
The state's disaster-relief process generally involves several stages:
- Conducting a field-level panchnama.
- Submission of assessment information to the Tahsil administration.
- Compilation and verification of information at the district Collectorate.
- Preparation of proposals by the Divisional Commissioner.
- Government approval of eligible relief.
- Uploading beneficiary information to the relevant online system.
- Generation of a Vishisht Kramank (VK) number for eligible records.
- Completion of e-KYC.
- Transfer of approved assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer.
The Relief and Rehabilitation Department states that the process is designed to transfer approved assistance directly to eligible beneficiaries' Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts."Relief and Rehabilitation DBT". Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Government
At the time of the drought declaration, Devendra Fadnavis was the chief minister of Maharashtra. Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar were deputy chief ministers.
The Relief and Rehabilitation Department was responsible for the administration of disaster-relief measures. The department's current official directory lists Makarand Jadhav Patil as minister for relief and rehabilitation and Ashish Jaiswal as minister of state for the department. It lists Vinita Singhal as additional chief secretary for disaster management, relief and rehabilitation."Who's Who". Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Drought-relief framework
The drought declaration was made under the state's drought-management framework, with Trigger-1 activated for the 265 affected talukas.
The trigger system is intended to provide an administrative basis for identifying drought conditions and initiating relief measures. The 2026 declaration followed an assessment by the Agriculture Department and implementation by the Relief and Rehabilitation Department."Drought Declared in 265 Talukas Across Maharashtra". Deccan Chronicle. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
Political and public response
The drought declaration generated discussion among political parties, farmers' organisations and public representatives regarding the scale and timing of relief.
Opposition leaders questioned the absence of immediate direct crop-loss compensation in the initial government resolution, while the government stated that actual financial assistance would be determined following ground-level crop assessments. These positions concerned the timing and implementation of relief rather than the government's formal declaration of drought."Drought declared in 75% of Maharashtra, Opposition slams Fadnavis government for withholding instant cash relief". The Indian Express. 27 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
See also
- Drought in India
- Agriculture in Maharashtra
- Marathwada
- Vidarbha
- Government of Maharashtra
References
- ↑ "Maharashtra declares drought in 265 talukas, announces 12-point relief package". DD News. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ "Who's Who". Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
External links
- Maharashtra State Relief and Rehabilitation Department
- India Meteorological Department – Statewise Rainfall
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