Gujarat government declares Kutch, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Porbandar drought-hit with relief package for farmers

Key facts

• The Gujarat government declared Kutch, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Porbandar districts as drought-hit on October 26, 2026, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announcing the decision after a high-level meeting in Gandhinagar.
• Farmers will receive ₹8,500 per hectare for affected crops, subject to a maximum of two hectares, under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
• Cattle in the four drought-hit districts will receive ₹80 per animal per day for two months, and 1.21 crore kg of subsidised fodder has already been distributed at ₹2 per kg, with a current stock of 3 crore kg.
• Under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) scheme, 150 days of employment will be provided in the affected districts from November 1.
• Gujarat received 810 mm rainfall till October 26, 19 percent less than the 996 mm received last year, and the state's 206 major dams recorded 66 percent water storage.
• Irrigation water will be supplied to command areas of 76 dams during the upcoming Rabi season, with drinking water reserves maintained until June 30, 2027.