Maharashtra Drought Relief: The Maharashtra Women and Child Development Department is strengthening measures to protect the health and nutrition of children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and adolescent girls in drought-affected areas of the state. The department, led by Minister Aditi Tatkare, is focusing on ensuring regular nutrition supplies, health check-ups, access to clean drinking water and continued support for families affected by drought.
Maharashtra Drought Relief: Aditi Tatkare Announces Key Measures
Changes in weather, rising temperatures and a lack of rainfall have created drought-like conditions in several parts of Maharashtra. The impact goes beyond agriculture and the economy, affecting food security, healthcare and the daily lives of rural families. Young children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies and health problems during such conditions.
Maharashtra Drought Relief Measures for Women and Children
The state government has declared drought in 305 talukas and is implementing relief measures through various departments. The Women and Child Development Department is playing an important role in ensuring that vulnerable groups continue to receive essential nutrition and healthcare services.
Anganwadi Centres to Ensure Regular Nutrition Supply
Maharashtra has more than one lakh Anganwadi centres under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. According to the department, the state has 1,08,627 Anganwadi workers and 1,05,470 helpers who provide nutrition, healthcare-related support and childcare services to eligible beneficiaries. During drought conditions, maintaining a regular supply of nutritious food becomes a major priority. The department is planning to ensure that children and other eligible beneficiaries continue to receive freshly cooked meals, Take-Home Rations (THR) and Amrut Aahar on time.
District-level food supply committees have been instructed to review the availability of food grains, water and cooking fuel and coordinate with the concerned authorities. If shortages arise locally, temporary changes to food menus may be considered to prevent interruptions in nutrition services. The department is also coordinating with gram panchayats and water supply committees to ensure that Anganwadi centres in villages receiving tanker water get priority access. Women’s Self-Help Groups involved in preparing fresh meals will also be included in planning for the availability of water and fuel.
Health Check-Ups and Protection Against Waterborne Diseases
Water shortages and contaminated drinking water can increase the risk of diarrhoea, jaundice, typhoid and dehydration. These conditions can pose serious health risks to young children and pregnant women. To reduce these risks, the department is focusing on water purification, including the use of chlorine as advised by health authorities. Anganwadi centres are also expected to maintain adequate stocks of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets and zinc tablets.
Centres facing severe shortages of water or cooking fuel will be identified so that the authorities can take timely action. In coordination with the Health Department, regular health check-ups will be arranged for children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. The plan also includes access to essential medicines, vitamins and other healthcare facilities.
Maharashtra Drought Relief: Special Attention to Malnourished Children
The department will monitor children’s growth and nutritional status to identify early signs of malnutrition. Anganwadi workers will measure children’s height and weight every month and record the information in the Poshan Tracker system.
These records will help identify children who need additional nutritional support and medical attention. Children suffering from severe acute malnutrition will be prioritised for additional energy-dense nutrition through Village Child Development Centres (VCDC) and Urban Child Development Centres (UCDC), as applicable. Children with serious health conditions will be referred to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres for treatment. Sick and malnourished children will also be referred to primary health centres or the appropriate healthcare professionals for further care.
Government Benefits for Pregnant Women and Adolescent Girls
Drought can also affect the nutritional needs of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and adolescent girls. The department plans to organise special counselling sessions on diet, health and nutrition for these groups. Efforts will also be made to ensure that eligible women receive benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and other government welfare schemes on time. Anganwadi workers, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and officials from the health, water supply and revenue departments will coordinate their efforts according to local needs.
Support for Migrant Families in Drought-Affected Areas
Drought can force sugarcane cutters, brick-kiln workers and other labourers to migrate in search of employment. Such migration can disrupt children’s education and limit families’ access to nutrition and healthcare services. The department is planning special measures to ensure that children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and adolescent girls from migrant families do not miss out on ICDS benefits.
Information about migrant beneficiaries will be recorded in the migration tracking system. The department will also coordinate with cooperative societies and sugar factories to obtain lists of workers who migrate during the sugarcane-cutting season.
Migrant families will be able to access supplementary nutrition, health check-ups and other essential services through rural or urban Anganwadi centres near their temporary places of residence. This approach aims to ensure continuity of services even when families move from one location to another.
लहान मुलांच्या ताटात आणूया चविष्ट पदार्थांची विविधता आणि पोषणाची समृद्धी!
पारंपरिक बाजरीपासून ताडगोळ्यांपर्यंत, आणि सब्जा-चिया सीड्सपासून ड्रॅगन फ्रूटपर्यंत… साध्या आणि नैसर्गिक पदार्थांनी मुलांचे पोषण भरपूर करूया.
#PoshanMaah #NavrangPoshan #ChildNutrition #HealthyEating #AditiTatkare #Maharashtra #HealthyChildren #GreyColour #NutritionMatters
— Aditi S Tatkare (@iAditiTatkare) October 17, 2026
Focus on Continuous Nutrition and Healthcare Services
The department’s drought response recognises that drought is not only a problem of water shortages and agricultural losses. It also affects food security, public health and the overall living conditions of vulnerable families.
Through Anganwadi centres, health services and coordination with other government departments, Maharashtra aims to maintain nutrition supplies, identify malnourished children, improve access to clean water and support migrant families. The key objective is to ensure that children, mothers and adolescent girls continue to receive essential nutrition and healthcare services even during difficult drought conditions.
