Emergency Fodder, Water, and Power Measures Deployed in Drought Zones

With rain failing to arrive for weeks in parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada, the Maharashtra government has launched a series of emergency actions to protect both crops and livestock. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis disclosed that fodder cultivation was initiated well before the drought peaked, allowing for swift distribution of animal feed to farmers whose herds are at risk.

Simultaneously, the state is scaling up drinking‑water provisions in the most affected villages, deploying tankers and setting up temporary water points to address acute shortages.

Power supply has also been bolstered: additional electricity is being supplied during the evening for those who rely on well‑based irrigation, and districts with only single‑phase connections have received special directives to keep the grid stable throughout the night. These steps are designed to preserve standing crops that could otherwise wither under the harsh conditions.

The chief minister stressed that these interventions are part of a larger relief framework guided by a pre‑approved Government Resolution and Standard Operating Procedure, ensuring that funds from the National Disaster Response Fund are utilised efficiently and transparently.

Officials anticipate that the combined effort—fodder, water, and power—will mitigate the worst impacts of the drought while longer‑term assessments of crop loss are completed.