Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during an inspection of areas affected by the drought-like situation in Malkapur, Kalamb Taluka and Dharashiv district on Spetmber 23, 2026.
| Photo Credit: ANI
A Latur farmer broke down in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during his visit to Latur district in the Marathwada region to assess the drought-like situation. Elsewhere, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Akola district on Wednesday.
The tour of CM and DCM comes after Mr. Fadnavis on Tuesday (September 22), announced the formation of a subcommittee to handle the drought issue under the chairmanship of Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, while issuing a drought GR by Saturday (September 26) announcing the financial assistance for the farmers, who faced crop loss due to long dry spell.
Nilanga, a taluka-based farmer, sobbingly said, “Pani nahi, nuksan jhala ahe (No water, suffering heavy losses.”
Giving assurance to the farmer, Mr. Fadnavis said, “In the next two days, the drought government resolution will be issued, providing relief to farmers. The focus will be to provide assistance to farmers for rabi crops and make availability of drinking water, fodder for cattle, and food grains.”
Mr. Fadnavis on Wednesday (September 23) visited Nilanga taluka in Latur and Dharashiv districts, which received around 50% rainfall. “Latur is the worst hit by drought this year and received less rainfall compared to last year, when the rainfall was at least 65% to 70%. This has caused crop loss,” Mr. Fadnavis added.
Eknath Shinde visits Akola
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Akola district and said, “There is no alternative but to announce a drought after witnessing the situation. Last year also farmers suffered due to heavy downpour, and I stood with them; this year also I will stand behind them. Will do whatever is required to do as farmers also have the right to the State government treasury.
According to State government data, the State is at present witnessing a 17% rainfall deficit, as it has recorded 787.2 mm of rainfall against a normal rainfall of 953.2 mm. Several regions in the Marathwada region, including Latur, have received less than 50% rainfall. The deficient rainfall in the State is being attributed to El Niño.
The opposition leader NCP-SP Rohit Pawar, who has been leading a protest to declare a drought in the State, responded to the plight of the farmer, saying, “It is heart-wrenching to see a farmer breaking down before the Chief Minister”. Highlighting the demand of ₹50,000 per hectare to farmers and Rs 25,000 per family to agricultural labourers, he added, “I have been witnessing all this from last eight to ten days in Vidarbha and Marathwada.”
While NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule credited NCP (SP) Supremo and her father Sharad Pawar for writing to Mr. Fadnavis and said, “The action have been taken only after Sharad Pawar raised the issue with the government through his letter.
Published – September 24, 2026 04:12 am IST
