Maharashtra dry spell: 83 talukas in 19 districts receive no rain for over 20 days

The situation came up for discussion at Tuesday`s Cabinet meeting, where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and several ministers expressed concern over the impact of the prolonged dry spell. Representational Image

A prolonged break in the monsoon has put Kharif crops across several parts of Maharashtra under severe stress, with 83 talukas in 19 districts reportedly receiving no rainfall for more than 20 days, raising concerns over crop losses, water availability and the possibility of drought-like conditions.

The situation came up for discussion at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and several ministers expressed concern over the impact of the prolonged dry spell. Although no immediate relief package was announced, Fadnavis directed the state administrative machinery to remain on high alert and prepare for the situation.

Government says drought declaration cannot be made immediately

Following the Cabinet discussion, the state government said a formal drought declaration could not be made immediately because crop damage assessments have to follow prescribed procedures under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines and central drought management norms.

According to the Agriculture Department's presentation, detailed crop damage assessments and ground verification will have to be conducted after October 5 before farmers can qualify for financial assistance under central relief provisions.

The government said conducting assessments prematurely could affect the eligibility of affected farmers for central assistance and could also result in an inaccurate assessment of crop losses.

Officials have been asked to prepare a comprehensive list of possible relief measures while coordinating with district administrations in the affected areas.

Marathwada, Vidarbha among worst-hit regions

The Cabinet reviewed regional reports indicating dry spells lasting between 20 and more than 40 days across 18 to 19 districts.

Marathwada, Vidarbha and parts of Western Maharashtra have emerged as some of the worst-affected regions, with rain-fed crops facing increasing moisture stress.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Fadnavis directed District Collectors and field-level officials to remain on high alert and prepare preliminary relief proposals.

In several affected areas, particularly Marathwada, local administrations have also been instructed to prioritise existing dam storage for drinking water to guard against possible shortages in both urban and rural areas.

Crop losses reported across several districts

According to a region-wise crop status compilation prepared by the state Agriculture Department, Beed has reported damage to 37.21 per cent of its sown area. Jalna has reported damage to 27.83 per cent, while Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has reported damage to 7.06 per cent.

In Latur, Dharashiv and Parbhani, soybean, green gram, black gram and cotton crops grown on light soils are reportedly drying up because of the prolonged absence of rainfall.

A widespread outbreak of Yellow Mosaic Virus has also been reported in soybean crops, adding to the challenges faced by farmers.

The dry spell has also affected rain-fed agricultural areas in Solapur, Satara, Sangli and Ahilyanagar. Crops including green gram, black gram, soybean, maize and pearl millet are under stress, with yields in these areas expected to decline by 20 to 25 per cent, according to the assessment.

Vidarbha and North Maharashtra also affected

Soybean and cotton crops are facing significant stress in Vidarbha. Several talukas in Amravati, Akola, Buldhana and Washim have reportedly gone without rain for two to three weeks.

Soybean crops grown on light soils have withered in some areas, while farmers with access to irrigation are using protective watering to save standing crops.

In parts of Nagpur, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, deficient rainfall has delayed paddy transplantation.

North Maharashtra has also reported crop stress. In Nandurbar and some talukas of Nashik, inadequate rainfall has affected the growth of maize, cotton and other crops.

Recent rainfall in parts of Dhule and Jalgaon has provided some relief to Kharif crops. However, Nandurbar has received only 46.6 per cent of its normal rainfall, according to the Agriculture Department's assessment.

Severe rainfall deficits have also been reported in Solapur, Kolhapur, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Parbhani, Hingoli, Akola, Washim, Amravati, Wardha, Nagpur and Chandrapur.

Government prepares relief measures as opposition seeks drought declaration

While the government waits for the formal assessment window after October 5, officials are preparing possible emergency measures, including evaluating fodder availability for livestock.

Agriculture officials have also been asked to guide farmers on protective irrigation wherever water is available so that surviving Kharif crops can be protected from further damage.

Opposition leaders, including Congress leaders Vijay Wadettiwar and Solapur MP Praniti Shinde, along with Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, have demanded an immediate drought declaration in the affected areas.

They have pointed to the reported rainfall deficit across 19 districts and more than 83 talukas and warned of potential shortages of fodder and water if the dry spell continues.

The opposition has also called for an emergency relief package, crop loan waivers, fodder camps and tanker water supplies without waiting for the post-monsoon assessment process.

Mahayuti leaders have also raised concerns over the situation. NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde has written to Chief Minister Fadnavis seeking a drought declaration for severely affected parts of Marathwada.

(With inputs from IANS)