All 14 talukas in Nagpur district declared drought-hit, 39 in Vidarbha

The state government has invoked Trigger-1, the first level of drought classification, in 39 talukas across six districts of eastern Vidarbha, citing deficient rainfall and other factors during the 2026 kharif season. This means these talukas have been declared drought-affected. The state Relief and Rehabilitation Department issued a government resolution on Saturday announcing separate relief measures and concessions for these talukas.

The six districts where Trigger-1 has been invoked are Wardha, Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli. Across the state, 265 talukas fall under this classification, of which 39 are in eastern Vidarbha alone. All 14 talukas of Nagpur district are included: Nagpur, Kamptee, Saoner, Parshivani, Mouda, Bhiwapur, Kalmeshwar, Katol, Ramtek, Hingna, Umred, Kuhi, Narkhed and Nagpur city. From Wardha district, the talukas of Wardha, Selu, Deoli, Arvi, Samudrapur, Hinganghat and Ashti are also on the list.

Trigger-1 has also been invoked in Bhandara, Pauni and Lakhandur talukas of Bhandara district, and Tirora taluka of Gondia district. In Chandrapur district, the talukas included are Chandrapur, Bhadravati, Gondpipri, Rajura, Korpana, Mul, Warora, Saoli, Chimur, Nagbhid, Sindewahi and Pombhurna. Gadchiroli and Chamorshi talukas of Gadchiroli district are in the same category. The government resolution states clearly that compensation for crop losses will be announced separately later, through the prescribed procedure.

Trigger-1 is determined based on average rainfall levels, but since panchnamas (loss assessments) have not yet been completed, the exact area of crop damage in hectares is not yet clear. Paddy crops across the division, including Nagpur, have suffered a major setback, and cotton and soyabean output is also expected to decline. District collectors in the affected talukas have been directed to begin panchnamas immediately. Photographs and GPS locations of the surveyed crop areas are to be collected, and a report on crop conditions sent to the government through the Agriculture Commissioner.

Under the government resolution, several relief measures have been announced for the drought-hit areas, including exemption from land revenue, restructuring of crop loans, a moratorium on recovery of agriculture-related loans, concessions on electricity bills for running agricultural pumps, and a waiver of examination fees for school and college students. Directions have also been issued to supply water by tanker where needed, ensure availability of foodgrain, arrange fodder for livestock, and initiate water conservation works.