The Maharashtra government on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, declared 304 talukas across the state as drought-affected following significant rainfall deficits during the Kharif season, ordering immediate crop damage assessments and rolling out a 12-point relief package that includes an advance payment of ₹5,000 per affected farmer ahead of Diwali. The move, announced after a high-level Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, marks the state's most expansive drought declaration this season.

How the Drought Declaration Expanded

The state had earlier, on 26 September, designated 265 talukas under Trigger-1 norms as drought-hit. Following a comprehensive review of sustained precipitation shortfalls and ground-level agricultural indicators, an additional 39 talukas — qualifying under Trigger-1 and Trigger-2 criteria — have been added to the list, bringing the cumulative total to 304. State Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil confirmed that district collectors have been directed to initiate immediate panchanamas (crop damage assessments) across all affected regions to fast-track compensation to farmers.

The 12-Point Relief Package

The state government has announced a broad set of concessions aimed at easing financial pressure on farmers, agricultural labourers, and rural households in the declared zones. Key measures include a complete waiver of land revenue, rescheduling and extension of agricultural loan repayment deadlines, and a temporary moratorium on coercive loan recovery by banks and microfinance institutions. Farmers will also receive substantial relief on electricity bills for agricultural pumps, with a directive ensuring pump connections in drought-hit areas are not severed.

Additional relief covers full exemption of examination fees for students from distressed families, expedited work generation under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), deployment of GPS-tracked water tankers to villages facing acute drinking water shortages, guaranteed supply of essential food grains to farmers and labourers, and special provisions for cattle feed and fodder management to protect livestock. The state administration has instructed district authorities to execute these measures on a 'war footing.'

Cabinet Meeting and Fadnavis's Announcements

The high-stakes Cabinet session was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and other senior ministers. Chief Minister Fadnavis told reporters that the ₹5,000 advance aid will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of affected farmers before Diwali. The state has also finalised a list of 3.5 lakh farmers for a loan waiver scheme, with processing currently underway.

Fadnavis noted that groundwater levels in Marathwada have plummeted by more than 3 metres, underscoring the severity of the crisis. He added that more than 16,000 illegal water connections have already been disconnected, and strict instructions have been issued to banks and microfinance institutions against forcible collection of loan repayments or electricity dues.

Context and Broader Impact

Maharashtra's Kharif-season drought comes amid a wider pattern of uneven monsoon distribution across peninsular India this year. The Marathwada and Vidarbha belts — historically the most drought-prone parts of the state — account for a disproportionate share of farmer distress and agrarian debt. This declaration is one of the largest in terms of taluka count in recent memory, reflecting the scale of the rainfall deficit. Critically, the timing ahead of Diwali adds political urgency, as the festival marks a key period of rural spending and loan settlements.

With over 3.5 lakh farmers already identified for loan waivers and district collectors on alert for panchanama completion, the pace of disbursement will be closely watched by farm groups and opposition parties. Pending assessments and any delays in direct benefit transfers to bank accounts could become flashpoints in the coming weeks.