Maharashtra drought: Central team to visit state to assess situation

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday (October 6) said that a Central government team will visit the state later this week to assess the ground situation in the 265 talukas across 32 districts affected by drought.

The Maharashtra government on September 26 declared drought in 265 of its 358 talukas, or 74 per cent of the state, amid rainfall deficit.

The Central team will be in the state around October 7-8 and collect a ground report till October 11, Fadnavis told the media in Mumbai.

Priority for drinking water

The multi-department team will be headed by Muktanand Agrawal, Joint Secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Also read: Maharashtra’s drought-hit students get exam fee waiver from Nanded University

The chief minister said in the wake of drought conditions, the Cabinet has decided to prioritise drinking water for people in the affected areas.

"The first priority is to reserve drinking water and water for animals until August (2027). If water stock still remains thereafter, its use will be considered for industries and agriculture," he stated.

On crop surveys and central assistance, Fadnavis said surveys had been completed in around 23,000 villages.

"Ground survey work is also underway. This work is being completed in record time so that the money we need from the central government can be secured," Fadnavis maintained.

CM's interim report to Centre

Meanwhile, state Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne has said the Central team will visit drought-affected areas in coordination with the state government and assess the severity of the situation and make recommendations for relief and rehabilitation.

The team will submit its report to the Centre on the basis of its assessment, Bharne said in a release issued on Monday evening.

Nearly 80 per cent of the state is under the shadow of drought and crops have suffered extensive damage. The team's visit is expected to expedite the process of providing central assistance to drought-affected farmers, the statement said.

The move comes after Chief Minister Fadnavis submitted an interim report to the Centre seeking assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

(With agency inputs)