30,000 hectares lost in Marathwada floods: Pawars, Patils, Bhujbal, Fadnavis, Shinde hit ground with relief promises

From crop losses to relief promises, political leaders rush to flood-hit Marathwada

Heavy and unseasonal rains have unleashed havoc across large swathes of Maharashtra, particularly in the arid Marathwada region. At least eight lives have been lost, entire villages marooned, and crops on more than 30,000 hectares flattened, officials told PTI. Homes have been damaged, families displaced, and in Solapur, relentless downpours have turned several areas into waterlogged pockets.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been on the ground in Beed, Dharashiv, and Solapur since Monday night, carrying out rescue operations as floodwaters continue to rise.

NCP(SP) sends senior leaders to districts

Sensing the urgency, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) announced on Wednesday that senior leaders would tour affected regions to extend solidarity with farmers and assess damage first-hand.

According to the party statement:

• Shashikant Shinde began his tour in Beed, meeting families like that of Aditya Kalsane, who lost his life after being swept away. He demanded the government announce a full loan waiver, declare a 'wet drought,' and provide Rs 50,000 per hectare in assistance.
• Jayant Patil and Harshvardhan Patil are scheduled to visit Solapur, with Jayant Patil also covering Dharashiv.
• Anil Deshmukh will head to Yavatmal and Washim.
• Jitendra Awhad will visit Nanded and Parbhani.
• Rajesh Tope will proceed to Jalna.
• Rohit Pawar is slated to visit Ahilyanagar.
• Rajendra Shingne, Jayprakash Dandegaonkar, and Prajakt Tanpure will cover Akola, Buldhana, Hingoli, and Jalgaon, respectively.

Bhujbal pledges one month’s salary

Adding to the chorus, Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies Minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal announced he would donate his one month’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, PTI reported. Bhujbal said he would personally visit flood-hit agricultural areas in Yeola, his constituency in Nashik district, on Thursday. His office added that “every possible effort” would be made to support distressed farmers.

Government steps in with Rs 1,339 crore package

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Darfal village in Solapur on Wednesday to assess the situation (ANI). Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who began his inspection tour from Korti in Karmala taluka, walked through soaked fields, met farmers, and directly assessed crop damage.

In a post on X, Ajit Pawar said: “Due to continuous heavy rainfall, there has been significant damage to crops. I directly interacted with the farmers to understand their problems. I gave clear instructions that the administration should meticulously plan and promptly implement measures to ensure immediate assistance.”

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde also assured farmers that the government would stand firmly with them and deliver compensation before Diwali.

According to government sources, a Rs 1,339 crore assistance package has been approved for farmers whose crops were damaged between June and August 2025. Funds will be distributed through direct transfers to farmers’ bank accounts. However, officials clarified that fresh panchnamas (damage assessments) for the current spell of rain in Marathwada are yet to be filed.