The Maharashtra government has declared drought conditions in 265 of the state’s 358 tehsils, covering nearly three-fourths of the state, after a significant rainfall deficit during the southwest monsoon.
The decision, issued under the Drought Management Code, 2016, will trigger crop-loss assessments and a range of immediate relief measures.
These include waiver of land revenue, restructuring of crop loans, a stay on recovery of agriculture-related loans, concessions on electricity bills for agricultural pumps and provision of tankers for drinking water.
Relaxation of norms under the VB-G RAM G employment scheme will also be provided.
Rainfall Deficit Across State
Between June 1 and September 26, Maharashtra received 798.2 mm of rain against the normal 970.9 mm, an 18% deficit.
Earlier figures for June 1 to September 22 showed 787.2 mm against a normal 953.2 mm. Except for five districts, rainfall has remained deficient.
The 265 affected tehsils are spread across 32 of Maharashtra’s 34 districts, including Ahilyanagar, Amravati, Beed, Jalgaon, Latur, Nagpur, Nanded, Pune, Sangli and Solapur. Solapur recorded a 57% deficit, while Ahilyanagar and Nandurbar faced deficits of 42% and 34%, respectively.
The government said financial assistance for crop losses will be decided after damage assessments.
The IMD has also linked the deficient monsoon conditions to prevailing El Niño conditions in the Pacific.
