Drought-stricken farmers in Maharashtra to get ₹291.91 crore relief as state sets up special task force

The measures follow deficient rainfall in parts of Maharashtra during 2026, prompting the government to declare drought in talukas identified under the Kharif season’s Trigger-1 assessment

Source

The Hindu — National →

Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01The Maharashtra government declared drought in 265 talukas out of 358 due to deficient monsoon rainfall during the 2026 Kharif season.
02The drought mitigation panel was set up by the Maharashtra government to address the drought situation in the state.
03The relief package of ₹291.91 crore was approved for farmers affected by heavy rain and floods during June-August 2026.
04The drought-affected areas in Maharashtra are covered under the Kharif season's Trigger-1 assessment.
05The Maharashtra government has identified 265 talukas as drought-hit, which is approximately 74% of the state's total talukas.
06The relief package includes ₹262.69 crore for crop losses in 3 districts and ₹29.22 crore for other relief measures.
07The drought in Maharashtra was declared due to deficient rainfall during the 2026 Kharif season, which is a critical period for agriculture in the state.

Trap alerts

Most people think the drought in Maharashtra was caused by a drought in the preceding year, but actually it was caused by deficient rainfall during the 2026 Kharif season.
Most people think the relief package was only for farmers affected by drought, but actually it was for farmers affected by heavy rain and floods during June-August 2026.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

What is the amount of relief approved by the Maharashtra government for flood-hit farmers?

A.₹291.91 crore
B.₹291.91 lakh
C.₹2.91 crore
D.₹291.91 million

The Maharashtra government approved ₹291.91 crore relief for flood-hit farmers as part of its drought mitigation efforts.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding Drought in Maharashtra: 1. Maharashtra declared drought in talukas identified under the Kharif season's Trigger-1 assessment. 2. The drought mitigation panel is a response to deficient rainfall in parts of Maharashtra during 2025. 3. The government approved ₹291.91 crore relief for flood-hit farmers. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

Statement 1 is correct because fact 5 states that Maharashtra declared drought in talukas identified under the Kharif season's Trigger-1 assessment. Statement 2 is incorrect because fact 4 states that the drought mitigation panel is a response to deficient rainfall in parts of Maharashtra during 2026, not 2025. Statement 3 is correct because fact 3 states that the government approved ₹291.91 crore relief for flood-hit farmers.

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