Pune’s crop damage survey has covered 2,61,314 hectares across eight drought-affected talukas, reaching about 85% of the 3,08,954 hectares identified for assessment, according to a report by Sakal – Pune. The exercise is being carried out as the district implements drought-related measures and concessions across ten talukas.
The first phase of the assessment has covered the fields of 4,86,189 account holders in Baramati, Indapur, Daund, Khed, Purandar, Shirur, Bhor and Velha. The survey, locally referred to as crop-loss assessment or panchnama work, is intended to record the extent of damage in areas where drought conditions have been declared.
Baramati has recorded the largest completed assessment area among the eight talukas, at 52,130 hectares. This is followed by Indapur with 48,989 hectares, Daund with 39,997 hectares, Khed with 39,129 hectares, Purandar with 33,211 hectares and Shirur with 30,110 hectares. Bhor has completed assessments across 12,926 hectares, while Velha has covered 4,822 hectares.
The district administration has also begun the second phase of the process in Ambegaon and Junnar. In Ambegaon, assessments have been completed for 1,107 hectares belonging to 5,217 account holders. In Junnar, the work has covered 8,135 hectares involving 12,097 account holders.
The distinction between the assessment area and the number of account holders is significant for the next stage of drought administration. The field survey records the affected agricultural area, while the account-holder data identifies the landholding records linked to the assessment. The supplied report does not specify the relief amounts or the timeline for payments based on the completed surveys.
Drought-related measures and concessions have been extended across ten Pune district talukas: Bhor, Velha, Khed, Shirur, Baramati, Indapur, Daund, Purandar, Ambegaon and Junnar. The progress reported so far covers the eight talukas included in the first phase, with separate progress recorded for Ambegaon and Junnar under the second phase.
The drought response is also being linked to preparations for possible water scarcity. Amit Patharwat, executive engineer in the rural water supply department, has directed the Zilla Parishad to prepare and submit action plans urgently for the period from October 2026 to June 2027. The plans are to be structured across three quarterly phases to address potential shortages.
The next administrative milestones are the completion of the remaining crop-damage assessments, the consolidation of landholder records and the submission of the three-phase rural water-supply action plans for the October 2026-June 2027 period.
