10 September,2026 01:51 PM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondent
Representational image. File pic
A BJP MLA from Latur has urged the Maharashtra government to declare drought in Latur district and other parts of Marathwada, citing inadequate rainfall and growing concerns over crops, drinking water and cattle fodder.
Latur Rural MLA Ramesh Karad submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, seeking an immediate drought declaration and relief measures for farmers facing the impact of the prolonged dry spell.
Karad highlighted the condition of soybean and sugarcane, which are important to the rural economy of the region. He said the crops were under severe stress because of insufficient rainfall.
"Farmers have already spent heavily on seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, farm operations and labour. They are now staring at the possibility of losing their entire investment," Karad claimed.
Karad said the situation had gone beyond crop losses, with rivers, streams, lakes and wells gradually drying up. Falling groundwater levels could further affect the availability of drinking water for people and livestock in the coming weeks, he said.
He said farmers rely heavily on the kharif harvest to repay loans, meet household expenses and fund the following agricultural season. A crop failure could therefore have a wider impact on the rural economy.
Karad called for immediate crop damage assessments, a review of water and fodder availability and drought relief for Latur Rural and other affected areas of Marathwada.
Former Latur MLA and BJP leader Shivajirao Patil Kavhekar has also appealed to the government to declare drought in Latur and Marathwada and provide financial assistance to farmers.
Kavhekar said delayed and inadequate rainfall had affected soybean, tur, moong, urad and jowar crops, with stunted growth reported in several areas. He said farmers in some locations risked losing their entire cultivation investment.
He also raised concerns over pending crop insurance compensation for the 2025 kharif season. According to Kavhekar, farmers across 60 revenue circles in Latur district were still waiting for insurance payouts even after May 2026.
He urged the government to coordinate with insurance companies and ensure the pending compensation reaches farmers' bank accounts.
Kavhekar also highlighted the drinking water situation in Latur city and sought speedy completion of water supply projects.
He recalled that a project to transfer water from Ujani dam to Manjara dam was inaugurated around 22 years ago but remains incomplete.
Another project involving a nearly 65-km pipeline from Dhanegaon dam is currently under construction to supply Latur city. Kavhekar called for its priority completion and also demanded water meters for household connections to reduce wastage and improve management of the city's limited water resources.
(With inputs from PTI)
