Overview

• Over 50 lakh hectares of cropland across 31 districts have been hit, with Marathwada worst affected and 86 rain-related deaths recorded in the region, according to official data.
• After handing a memorandum to Home Minister Amit Shah, the state began immediate aid of Rs 5,000 and 35 kg of foodgrain per affected farmer and approved Rs 2,215 crore under the SDRF.
• Fadnavis said a formal NDRF proposal will follow ongoing panchnamas, with officials reporting most assessments completed and direct transfers to farmers under way.
• The NDRF and the Army are conducting search-and-rescue operations as forecasts warn of more rain and authorities keep response teams on standby.
• Opposition parties are demanding a ‘wet drought’ declaration, Rs 50,000 per hectare compensation and loan waivers, with Congress planning a statewide protest on October 3.