Maharashtra Declares Drought in 265 of 358 Talukas, Covering 74 Percent of State, After 18.8 Percent Rainfall Deficit During Kharif 2026 Season

The Maharashtra government officially declared drought in 265 of the state's 358 talukas on Friday, September 26, 2026, impacting nearly three-fourths of the state after a prolonged rainfall deficit during the Kharif 2026 season. The declaration, based on the Agriculture Commissioner's report, activates 12 immediate relief measures for affected farmers, including crop loan restructuring, land revenue concessions, power bill subsidies, and a pause on farm loan recovery. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed immediate crop-damage assessments, with a separate government resolution on financial assistance for crop losses to follow after the prescribed procedure. The state recorded an 18.8 percent rainfall deficit, receiving actual rainfall of 755.9 millimeters from June to September 18, compared to its average of 932.3 millimeters. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division has the highest number of drought-affected talukas at 74, with 16 affected talukas in Yavatmal, 15 in Jalgaon, and 14 each in Ahilyanagar, Nagpur, Amravati, and Nanded. A two-month monsoon dry spell worsened water stress across Dharashiv, Beed, Amravati, Solapur, and Latur, with some areas receiving 40 to 50 percent less rainfall and several locations recording little or no rain since July.

The declaration enables the state to activate relief measures for farmers, rural workers, students, livestock, and households facing drinking-water shortages under the Manual for Drought Management, 2016, which replaced a largely subjective approach with a data-based assessment. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized that the Mahayuti government stands firmly behind the state's agrarian community, asserting that the state treasury's first right belongs to the food provider. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar said the government had instructed officials to plan drinking water supplies and begin water conservation work. Farmers' leaders welcomed the declaration but argued that assistance under the Nationa

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Sources: UNI India, National Herald India, Business Standard, IAS Point, all published September 26, 2026. Figures verified across government resolution and PTI reporting.