07 October,2026 05:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
HM Shah said a Central team would visit Maharashtra from October 8 to 11. Pic/ X
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and sought maximum assistance from the Centre for Maharashtra drought relief.
In a post on X, Fadnavis said he held a detailed discussion with Shah on the drought situation and briefed him on the measures being undertaken by the Maharashtra government. He also submitted a memorandum seeking assistance to the Union Home Minister.
"Drought has been declared in more than 265 talukas across Maharashtra, and drought relief measures have been announced," Fadnavis said.
He said he requested Shah to provide maximum possible assistance to Maharashtra through the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in view of the prevailing situation.
According to Fadnavis, Shah assured him that the Centre would extend maximum assistance to the state. Shah also informed him that a Central government team would visit the state from October 8 to 11 for Maharashtra drought relief.
Fadnavis said the Union Home Minister assured him that the Central government would stand firmly with Maharashtra during the difficult period. He expressed gratitude for the Centre's support and assurance of assistance for Maharashtra drought relief.
With Latur district in Maharashtra reeling under drought, the district administration has prepared a four-pronged plan focusing on drinking water, cattle fodder, employment and the revival of existing water sources.
Collector Dr Bharat Bastewad said the administration would take step-wise measures to deal with the situation, starting with an assessment of government wells and borewells and moving to private water sources and tanker supplies if required.
The plan comes after the Maharashtra government declared drought in 265 of the state's 358 talukas on September 26, covering nearly 74 per cent of the state.
Bastewad said the administration would first assess the availability and condition of government wells and borewells in every village in Latur district.
Private borewells and other water sources would then be identified and acquired wherever necessary. If these sources are not sufficient, the administration will consider using additional wells and borewells before deploying water tankers according to requirements.
"The first step is to assess government wells and borewells, then identify private borewells and acquire water from them wherever necessary. If that is still insufficient, we will explore additional wells and borewells and, thereafter, arrange tankers," Bastewad said.
The collector inspected the drinking water situation in Wadwal Nagnath in Chakur tehsil on Tuesday.
