23 September,2026 12:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are leading field inspections across drought-affected regions as the state government steps up efforts to assess crop damage and prepare immediate relief measures, IANS reported.
Deficit rainfall attributed to the Al Nino phenomenon has affected crops across Marathwada, Vidarbha, Khandesh and parts of Western Maharashtra. The situation has also raised concerns over drinking water availability and livestock fodder, putting additional pressure on farming communities.
Fadnavis is undertaking a field tour of Latur, Dharashiv and Solapur districts, where he will meet farmers and inspect damaged crops. He is scheduled to visit Jau, Kharosa and Lamjana villages in Ausa and Nilanga talukas, where crops have been affected by prolonged moisture stress.
According to BJP MLA Abhimanyu Pawar, the chief minister will directly interact with farmers at Kharosa. Fadnavis, accompanied by Public Works Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale and Dharashiv Guardian Minister Pratap Sarnaik, will also visit Karajkheda in Dharashiv taluka and Malkapur in Kalamb taluka.
Further inspections are planned at Yermala and Tuljapur, followed by visits to three drought-affected locations in Solapur. The field visits are expected to provide inputs for relief measures and policy decisions.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is overseeing crop assessment in Western Vidarbha, including Buldhana, Akola and Amravati. He has directed Shiv Sena ministers to visit affected villages, conduct panchnamas and hold Janata Durbars to hear farmers' grievances.
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar also reviewed the situation in the Warud-Morshi belt of Amravati after former Morshi MLA Devendra Bhuyar raised concerns over drinking water shortages and agricultural distress. She directed the Amravati district administration to take immediate action.
In Jalna, prolonged dry conditions across all eight talukas and 52 revenue circles have prompted Collector Aashima Mittal to establish a centralised War Room. It will monitor crop health, fodder, water storage, tanker-filling points, crop-cutting experiments, e-crop surveys and possible rural migration.
Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane reviewed agricultural losses and water scarcity in several districts at a meeting in Navi Mumbai.
The government has also formed a Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to oversee drought-related measures. Fadnavis said assistance would be provided without waiting for central funds and that a preliminary notification on drought-like conditions would be issued by Saturday.
"I will personally begin inspecting affected areas starting tomorrow, and I have directed all ministers and elected representatives to go directly to the ground (bandh) to assess the damage," said CM Fadnavis.
He said a proposal seeking relief under NDRF norms would be sent to the Centre. The government will also prioritise drinking water and livestock fodder for the coming seven to eight months.
CM Fadnavis said, "Ministers will begin state tour tomorrow to inspect drought-affected regions, Cabinet Sub-Committee has been granted full cabinet authority to make immediate relief decisions, on-ground crop damage assessments (panchnamas) will start statewide tomorrow, priority allocation for drinking water management and livestock fodder supply and relief deployment will begin immediately without waiting for central assistance."
(With inputs from IANS)
