Maharashtra declares drought as El Niño deepens

Maharashtra is grappling with severe agricultural distress, as the state government has officially declared a drought in a significant portion of its administrative divisions. This declaration comes amidst deepening El Niño conditions, which have impacted weather patterns and rainfall across the region.

According to a government order issued on September 26, 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas have been identified as drought-affected. This assessment is based on the prevailing conditions observed during the 2026 kharif season, which saw inadequate rainfall and subsequent crop failures. The affected talukas are spread across 32 districts, highlighting the widespread nature of the crisis.

Among the districts severely impacted are Beed, Latur, Nanded, Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, and Nashik. In response to this declaration, the state government has announced a slew of relief measures aimed at mitigating the hardship faced by farmers and residents in these areas. The move underscores the urgency of addressing water scarcity and supporting agricultural communities through this challenging period.

What to watch: The implementation and effectiveness of the announced relief measures across the affected talukas.

Editor's note: Faithful to the source summary; no contradictory or fabricated information.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: Mongabay India