Maharashtra government may soon declare 100% drought-hit by September-end, says Cooperation Minister Patil
Maharashtra may declare the entire state drought-hit by September-end as prolonged rainfall deficits damage sugarcane, soybean and cotton. The government has begun relief measures, including fee and electricity bill waivers and water tankers, while formal crop damage assessments will start after October 5.
Maharashtra government may soon declare the state 100% drought-hit by the end of September, Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil said, marking it the first time a minister from the ruling state government has publicly stated that such a declaration is imminent as a rain deficit takes a toll on crops and water availability.
Patil described the situation as the most severe drought he had witnessed in his lifetime. Prolonged rainfall shortages have caused extensive damage to sugarcane, soybean and cotton crops, resulting in heavy losses for farmers, he said.
The minister said the state government had already initiated several measures to provide relief to people affected by the water crisis, including waiving student fees and electricity bills and deploying water tankers in areas facing shortages.
The statement comes as the government has maintained that formal crop damage assessments and field-level surveys would be conducted only after October 5.
The rain deficit has affected several parts of Maharashtra, with 83 tehsils across 20 districts receiving no rainfall for more than 20 days, according to the state agriculture department.
At least six districts, including Amravati, Solapur and Latur, have recorded rainfall deficits of 40% to 50%.
The shortage of water has already led to the deployment of tankers in villages. Naichakur in Dharashiv district is among the villages where tankers have started supplying drinking water.
Amid the worsening water crisis, the state government has directed district administrations to focus on reviving existing water sources and developing water-supply networks in villages facing shortages instead of relying on tankers as the first solution.
A September 16 circular issued by the State Soil and Water Conservation Department instructed the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency to identify villages facing drinking water shortages.
The agency will submit the list to district collectors by October, after which the collectors will prepare water-supply plans for different periods.
Plans for October-December are to be submitted by November 15, while plans for January-March 2027 are due by December 20. Plans covering April-June 2027 will have to be submitted by January 20.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that the Maharashtra government would not wait for central assistance to provide relief to farmers affected by inadequate rainfall.
However, he said a formal assessment of crop damage would be conducted after October 5 in accordance with the applicable regulations. The state government would subsequently seek financial assistance from the Centre based on the assessment.
Patil’s statement that Maharashtra will be declared 100% drought-hit by the end of September comes ahead of the scheduled crop damage assessment, as farmers in several districts continue to face crop losses and water shortages.
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Source : ChiniMandi
