The Maharashtra government has declared 265 talukas across the state as drought-affected based on rainfall deficiency and other drought-related criteria for the Kharif 2026 season. The decision follows the implementation of Trigger-1 (first trigger) in these talukas and provides for various relief measures for affected farmers and rural communities.
The government decision, issued by the Relief and Rehabilitation Department on 25 September 2026, states that the drought situation in these 265 talukas was identified based on the report of the commissioner of agriculture and the prescribed drought assessment procedure.
According to the government resolution (GR), the concerned district collectors have been directed to immediately initiate the process for declaring the 265 talukas as drought-affected. Crop-condition surveys are also to be conducted, with photographs and GPS-coordinated information collected from the affected areas and submitted through the commissioner of agriculture to the state government.
The relief measures include waiver of land revenue, postponement of recovery of crop loans and a moratorium on recovery of agricultural term loans. The government has also announced concessions on electricity bills for agricultural pumps of up to 16.4 horsepower capacity, with the applicable electricity bill relief to be provided to eligible agricultural pump consumers.
The government has further decided to waive examination fees for school and college students in the affected areas. Norms under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) will be relaxed to enable more employment-related works to be undertaken in drought-affected areas.
Where necessary, arrangements will also be made to supply drinking water through tankers. The government has directed authorities not to disconnect electricity connections to agricultural pumps in villages declared drought-affected. Arrangements are also to be made to ensure the availability of foodgrains for agricultural labourers and other workers dependent on agriculture.
The government has directed the concerned departments to undertake water-conservation works and ensure drinking water and fodder arrangements in accordance with prescribed government directions. These measures are part of the relief framework under the state's Drought Management Code, 2016 and related government resolutions.
The list of affected talukas covers districts across Maharashtra. The government statement includes talukas from Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Ahilyanagar, Pune, Solapur, Sangli and Satara, among others. The government document provides the detailed district-wise list of all 265 talukas where Trigger-1 has been activated.
The government resolution says that the declaration follows an assessment of rainfall deficiency and other factors affecting drought conditions during the Kharif 2026 season. The Trigger-1 mechanism is part of the state's prescribed system for assessing drought conditions and initiating relief measures.
District collectors and other concerned authorities have been directed to implement the relief measures immediately and closely monitor crop conditions in the affected areas. Field-level reports are to be submitted to the state government so that further measures can be considered based on the prevailing situation.
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