Maharashtra Declares Drought in 265 Talukas Amid Crop Failures
Farmers in Maharashtra face severe crop losses as drought conditions affect 265 talukas, prompting government intervention.
265 of 358 talukas in Maharashtra declared drought-affected.
Marathwada and Vidarbha regions are the hardest hit.
Government relief measures include crop-loan restructuring and employment guarantees.
In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has declared drought in 265 of its 358 talukas, which represents about three-quarters of the state. This declaration comes as the monsoon season ends, leaving behind parched fields and damaged crops, particularly soybeans and onions. The affected areas include large parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha, regions historically linked to severe drought and agricultural distress.
The drought declaration was made on September 25, following months of inadequate and inconsistent rainfall. The government identified the affected talukas based on rainfall deficits and other drought indicators observed since June. This year has been particularly challenging, with some areas experiencing one of the driest monsoon seasons in recent memory, exacerbated by long intervals between rain spells that have further stressed crops.
District collectors have been instructed to assess the extent of crop damage through field surveys, documenting conditions with photographs and GPS-tagged records. The highest number of drought-affected talukas is in Yavatmal, with 16, followed by Jalgaon with 15, and 14 each in Nanded, Amravati, and Nagpur. The decision to declare drought came shortly after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited several affected districts, including Latur and Solapur, where crops like soybean, maize, and cotton have suffered significant losses.
The drought's impact is severe, particularly in Marathwada, where rainfall this season has been less than half of the normal levels. As of September 23, 84.1% of Maharashtra's land area was experiencing dry or drought conditions, according to the India Drought Monitor. This situation is compounded by a strengthening El Niño phenomenon, which is known to disrupt rainfall patterns globally.
In response to the crisis, the Maharashtra government has announced several relief measures, including restructuring of crop loans, concessions on electricity bills, and expanded employment guarantee programs. However, direct compensation for crop losses has not yet been established, pending the completion of ground-level assessments. The situation remains critical as farmers brace for the ongoing challenges posed by the drought.
