📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Sanket Oswal
Weather
85% of Maharashtra Talukas Hit by Drought; CM Fadnavis Promises ₹5,000 Aid Before Diwali
✍️ Livemint
🗓 15 Oct 2026, 02:47 AM
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A severe drought has struck 85% of Maharashtra's talukas, prompting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to pledge ₹5,000 assistance to affected farmers before the Diwali festival.
A severe drought has affected 85% of Maharashtra’s talukas, leaving farmers across the state grappling with water shortages and crop stress. The state’s agriculture department reports that the lack of rainfall has already reduced irrigation potential, impacting both paddy and horticulture sectors.
In response, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a relief package that will provide ₹5,000 to each farmer in the affected talukas. The aid is slated to be distributed before the Diwali celebrations, aiming to ease the financial burden on households already strained by the drought.
The CM’s statement comes as the government seeks to accelerate water conservation measures and support irrigation projects. Officials have urged farmers to adopt drought‑resistant crops and efficient water‑use practices to mitigate the impact of the ongoing dry spell.
In response, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a relief package that will provide ₹5,000 to each farmer in the affected talukas. The aid is slated to be distributed before the Diwali celebrations, aiming to ease the financial burden on households already strained by the drought.
The CM’s statement comes as the government seeks to accelerate water conservation measures and support irrigation projects. Officials have urged farmers to adopt drought‑resistant crops and efficient water‑use practices to mitigate the impact of the ongoing dry spell.