A severe dry spell has gripped 18 districts of Maharashtra, where cumulative monsoon rainfall has dropped 20 percent below normal levels. The deficit is far more acute in districts such as Amravati, Solapur, Ahilyanagar, Akola, Buldhana, and Latur, where precipitation levels have plummeted roughly 50% below seasonal averages. Across Marathwada, Vidarbha, and North Maharashtra, villagers face acute water shortages, standing agricultural crops are drying up without irrigation, and a major fodder shortage looms over livestock.
Chief Minister Inspects Parched Fields in Latur
To evaluate the ground realities, the Maharashtra government initiated comprehensive crop damage surveys in the final week of August, drawing up preliminary relief frameworks. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis traveled to ground zero to inspect agricultural damage directly. In Latur, he traversed rural belts, walked through damaged soybean fields, assessed the scale of crop ruin, and spoke directly with affected cultivators regarding their losses.
Emotional Moment as Farmer Breaks Down
During an inspection in Jau village, an emotional scene unfolded when Devendra Fadnavis approached a farmer in a withered soybean field. When asked about the extent of the damage, the farmer was overcome with emotion, unable to speak, and broke down in tears. Observing his distress, Devendra Fadnavis embraced the weeping cultivator to console him, assuring him that the government would extend every possible assistance to farmers. A moment from the visit was later posted on X.
Corn Crop Destroyed in Buldhana, Central Aid Sought
The state administration has deployed senior leadership to manage the unfolding agrarian crisis. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde conducted an on-site visit to Buldhana, where deficient monsoon rains have completely wiped out the maize crop. Eknath Shinde observed that condition in multiple regions has deteriorated sharply, prompting the Maharashtra government to approach the central government for financial and material support to mitigate the damage.
Opposition Calls for Special Legislative Session
Opposition leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with the pace and scope of administrative measures. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar warned that while current temperatures remain manageable, the situation will deteriorate significantly as summer temperatures rise and water reserves deplete further. He urged the government to convene a special session of the legislative assembly immediately to gather collective input and formulate a unified strategy to combat the drought.
