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Maharashtra Faces Worst Drought in 25 Years: 74% of State Affected, Political Row Erupts
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News18•28-09-2026, 12:37
Maharashtra Faces Worst Drought in 25 Years: 74% of State Affected, Political Row Erupts
- •Maharashtra has officially declared a drought in 265 out of 358 talukas, affecting nearly 74% of the state due to an 18.8% rainfall deficit and prolonged dry spells between June and September 2026.
- •The 2026 drought is primarily caused by a significant monsoon rainfall deficit, prolonged dry spells, abnormal weather patterns, and a strong El Niño phenomenon, with some regions experiencing up to 60% precipitation shortages.
- •Four major regions—Vidarbha, Marathwada, North Maharashtra, and the Pune division—are severely impacted, with districts like Yavatmal and Jalgaon among the worst hit.
- •The crisis is considered the worst in 25 years, with farmers facing unprecedented economic blows due to monsoon failure right before harvest, unlike the 1972 drought where sowing did not occur.
- •The government has announced 12 relief measures, including loan restructuring, electricity bill concessions, and water supply, while the opposition Congress party has criticized the focus on water-intensive data centers amidst the crisis.
Key Questions Answered
The drought was primarily caused by an 18.8% monsoon rainfall deficit, prolonged dry spells lasting 40 to 60 days between June and September 2026, and abnormal weather patterns linked to a strong El Niño phenomenon.
The crisis heavily impacted Vidarbha, Marathwada, North Maharashtra, and the Pune division. The worst-hit districts include Yavatmal, Jalgaon, Ahilyanagar, Nagpur, Amravati, and Nanded.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar announced 12 measures, including restructuring crop loans, halting loan recovery, land revenue waivers, agricultural electricity bill concessions, drinking water via tankers, and livestock fodder arrangements.
