Drought Deepens Across Maharashtra and Karnataka as States Step Up Relief for Farmers

Maharashtra and Karnataka are stepping up drought relief measures, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announcing a Rs 5,000 Diwali bonus for farmers in drought-hit areas and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara saying seven more taluks will be declared drought-affected, taking the state’s total to 226.

The announcements come as both states assess agricultural losses and grapple with pressure on rural livelihoods and water supplies.

While Maharashtra plans to provide immediate financial assistance ahead of Diwali, Karnataka is preparing a memorandum to seek funds from the Centre under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Maharashtra Expands Drought-Hit Areas

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday, Fadnavis said Maharashtra had increased the number of drought-hit talukas from 265 to 305. The state would provide farmers with Rs 5,000 before Diwali, with the amount to be transferred directly to their bank accounts.

“This Diwali is going to be difficult for farmers,” Fadnavis said, adding that the government wanted to ensure the assistance reached them before the festival. He said relief measures had been expedited this year, as assistance was usually provided in December in previous years.

The Chief Minister also said loan-waiver amounts were being credited to farmers’ accounts.

Maharashtra had earlier declared 265 of its 358 talukas across 32 districts drought-affected. The latest expansion brings the total to 305.

Falling Water Levels Add to Maharashtra’s Challenges

Fadnavis said the number of tankers supplying drinking water was increasing as water levels continued to decline. The government would monitor tanker movement through GPS tracking and had cut 16,000 illegal water connections, he said.

The measures come as the state faces the twin challenges of agricultural losses and drinking water shortages. The government has said it will work to maintain a safe drinking water supply as the situation develops.

Karnataka Prepares Memorandum for Centre

In Karnataka, Parameshwara said seven additional taluks would be declared drought-hit on Wednesday, taking the total to 226. The state government plans to complete a comprehensive assessment of crop damage and other losses within a week before finalising a memorandum seeking central assistance.

A delegation led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with Parameshwara and other senior ministers, will travel to New Delhi to submit the memorandum under NDRF guidelines.

Parameshwara said Karnataka had sought around Rs 7,000 crore for 226 drought-hit taluks, but preliminary assessments suggested losses this year were greater. The state had sought Rs 18,000 crore in assistance last year, he said.

The final amount will be determined after the government completes its assessment and calculates the losses eligible for assistance under the existing norms.

State Seeks Relaxation in NDRF Guidelines

Parameshwara said the Chief Minister and he had written to the Union government seeking some relaxation in NDRF guidelines to better account for conditions on the ground.

The Union Agriculture Minister had replied that the request would be examined, he said.

The Karnataka government plans to finalise its memorandum within a week before the delegation meets the Centre. The outcome will determine the extent of central assistance the state seeks to address drought-related losses.

With inputs from ANI