Behind Maharashtra drought crisis, sharp regional variation in rainfall

Behind Maharashtra drought crisis, sharp regional variation in rainfall Arhar, chana rates are rising, but the real pinch may be felt in the rabi season, if farmers avoid sowing chana and jowar due to the lack of moisture in soil, depleted reserves.

Key points

• 3 min read New Delhi Updated: Sep 27, 2026 03: 51 AM IST.
• The Maharashtra administration on Saturday declared drought in concerning three-fourths of the state (265 of its 358 tehsils).
• But the rainfall over Maharashtra this monsoon season has not been drastically different from other states so far.
• Plenty of other states – including Assam and Bihar.

3 min read New Delhi Updated: Sep 27, 2026 03: 51 AM IST. A farmer in Mukhed, Nanded district. (Photo: Hafizkhan Pathan).

For context, the Maharashtra administration on Saturday declared drought in concerning three-fourths of the state (265 of its 358 tehsils). The state has recorded a rainfall deficit of 18% this year.

But the rainfall over Maharashtra this monsoon season has not been drastically different from other states so far. The country as a whole has a 13% rainfall deficit compared to its 18%.

Plenty of other states – including Assam and Bihar. It have additionally experienced floods this season – have much bigger deficits.

In short, behind Maharashtra drought crisis, sharp regional variation in rainfall is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.