Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on 14 October 2026 that the state had expanded its drought declaration to 305 talukas, from 265 talukas declared drought-affected on 26 September. The government cited weak monsoon rainfall and an 18.8% rainfall deficit recorded between June and 18 September 2026. The El Niño phenomenon, which involves abnormal warming of central and eastern equatorial Pacific waters, was expected to continue through February 2027.
Drought Assessment in India
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare’s Manual for Drought Management sets out procedures for assessing drought using rainfall, soil moisture and crop-sown area indicators. Rainfall data are commonly assessed against the long-period average, but a rainfall deficit alone does not determine drought status; agricultural and hydrological conditions are also considered. The India Meteorological Department classifies seasonal rainfall deficits of 20% to 59% as “deficient” and deficits of 60% or more as “large deficient”. The state’s affected areas include parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha. The announcement identified 16 affected talukas in Yavatmal and 15 in Jalgaon; the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division had 74 affected talukas. Nanded, Amravati and Nagpur were also among the areas facing severe distress.
Relief Measures and Agricultural Effects
The announced relief measures include land-revenue waivers, crop-loan restructuring, a stay on farm-loan recovery, exemption from agricultural pump electricity bills and waivers of school examination fees. The government also announced arrangements for drinking water and fodder. Fadnavis said ₹5,000 would be deposited directly into farmers’ bank accounts before Diwali. Drought conditions affected soybean, maize, cotton, oranges, grapes, pomegranates and bananas. By 12 October, reports included the removal of 5,000 hectares of orange trees and the drying of grapevines.
Water Management and Climate Context
Water-management measures reported by 13 October included weekly water-supply cuts in Pune, a ban on new borewell drilling in Nagpur, and restrictions on using water for irrigation in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said the state was facing a severe water crisis and was awaiting recommendations from a Central Government team on further assistance.
Important Facts for Exams
- A taluka is an administrative subdivision used in several Indian states.
- The India Meteorological Department is the national agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasts and climate services.
- El Niño is part of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, a recurring climate pattern in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
- Marathwada and Vidarbha are regions of Maharashtra.
The drought declaration covered 305 talukas as of 14 October 2026. The state’s relief measures included farm-loan recovery stays and drinking-water arrangements.
