Story perspectives

Maharashtra Declares Drought in 265 Talukas, Adds Relief

By Drooid · Sep 27, 2026, 10:22 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Maharashtra state government declared drought in 265 of 358 talukas.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced crop-loan restructuring, land-revenue waivers and power-bill subsidies.
Congress media head Pawan Khera questioned water-protection plan while the state pursues data-centre expansion.
The state has attracted over USD 300 billion in data-centre investment interest and targets 5.7 GW capacity by 2032.
Officials will treat municipal sewage, purify it through MIDC and sell reclaimed water to data centres and industry.

History

Historical Context

Maharashtra’s 2024 drought declaration by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mirrors the 2013 crisis that left 7,896 villages water-scarce and triggered a INR12.07 billion central relief allocation. The state’s drought policy traces back to the 1963 Deletion of ‘Famine’ Act and the 1972 emergency that employed millions. Current loan restructuring and reclaimed-water supply extend that legacy of state-led water security.

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Story summary

Maharashtra state government declared drought in 265 of 358 talukas.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced crop-loan restructuring, land-revenue waivers and power-bill subsidies.
Congress media head Pawan Khera questioned water-protection plan while the state pursues data-centre expansion.
The state has attracted over USD 300 billion in data-centre investment interest and targets 5.7 GW capacity by 2032.
Officials will treat municipal sewage, purify it through MIDC and sell reclaimed water to data centres and industry.

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