{
  "id": 9926788,
  "title": "Maharashtra declares drought in 265 tehsils, covers nearly three fourths of state",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/maharashtra-declares-drought-in-265-tehsils-covers-nearly-three",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T06:11:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-drought-in-75-percent-devendra-fadnavis-10894796/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Maharashtra has declared drought in 265 of its 358 tehsils, representing almost three quarters of the state. This decision followed a prolonged period of rainfall deficits and dry spells that have adversely impacted crops in many parts of the state. The declaration sets off a range of relief measures for the affected farmers, including waiving land revenue, restructuring crop loans, and putting a hold on the recovery of agriculture-related loans. However, financial assistance for crop damage will be announced later after the assessment of the damage is completed. The order to declare drought was issued two days after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the rain deficit areas and announced the impending drought notification. According to the Government Resolution, the Agriculture Commissioner's report has identified drought-like conditions in all 265 talukas from June onwards due to the lack of rainfall and other factors. Trigger 1, a continuous dry spell of at least 21 days without significant rainfall during the monsoon, has been found applicable in these areas. District Collectors have been instructed to start the crop loss assessment through a process known as panchnamas, in which they will document the crop conditions, including photographs with GPS coordinates, and submit these reports to the government through the Agriculture Commissioner. These assessments will be used to determine the extent of crop damage and subsequently decide on the financial assistance to be provided to the affected farmers.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Maharashtra declares drought in 265 tehsils, nearly three-quarters of state",
    "Rainfall deficits and dry spells impact crops, triggering relief measures",
    "Crop loss assessments via panchnamas to determine financial aid for farmers"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Maharashtra Declares 265 Of 358 Talukas Drought-Affected, Covering Nearly 75% Of State Amid 18.8% Rainfall Deficit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/maharashtra-declares-265-of-358-talukas-drought-affected-covering",
        "published": "2026-09-26T07:29:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Maharashtra declares drought in 265 talukas, covering 74% of State",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/maharashtra-declares-drought-in-265-talukas-covering-74-of-state",
        "published": "2026-09-26T07:49:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}