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Maharashtra Faces Severe Drought Crisis Impacting Millions Before Diwali
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News18•20-10-2026, 15:01
Maharashtra Faces Severe Drought Crisis Impacting Millions Before Diwali
- •Deficient monsoon rainfall in Maharashtra has caused a severe drought affecting major crops like cotton, soybean, pulses, and sugarcane.
- •Sugarcane laborers are migrating weeks earlier than usual in search of work due to the agricultural crisis.
- •The state government warns that the current drought could potentially be worse than the catastrophic drought of 1972.
- •Approximately 14 million farmers and 14 million hectares of Kharif crops have been severely impacted by the lack of rain.
- •Landless farm laborers and elderly residents are struggling for survival as delayed government aid and lack of work worsen their plight.
Key Questions Answered
The severe drought in Maharashtra has destroyed Kharif crops across 14 million hectares and directly affected approximately 14 million farmers.
Maharashtra has faced drought 15 times since 1960, with the 1972 drought historically considered the most catastrophic. State government officials have stated that the current drought could potentially be even worse than 1972.
Due to the severe drought and lack of rain, sugarcane laborers who typically migrate around Dussehra or Diwali have set out in search of work several weeks earlier than usual. Laborers noted that while their daily wages may be lower, they face less anxiety regarding water arrangements.
