In Maharashtra India drought has intensified with 18.51 per cent live storage left in dams, 8.5 lakh livestock in fodder camps and 12,000 villages and hamlets depending on water tankers.

Around 82 lakh farmers are affected by the drought.

Talking about Karnataka, then it is also suffering. Maharashtra and Karnataka are facing a severe drought situation this year, as per the Ministry of Agriculture data. Twenty four out of 30 districts (80 per cent) in Karnataka and 26 out of 36 districts (72 per cent) in Maharashtra are reeling under water scarcity and crop failure.

It is to be noted that, the severity of drought is more in Maharashtra, 85.76 lakh hectares is affected, which is 44 per cent of the total affected area in the country. The Maharashtra government asked for ₹7,522-crore aid. It said that more divisions could be added to the list of drought-affected districts, but the Centre has approved only ₹4,714-crore in drought aid to the State.

As per the State government, 68 lakh farmers have been given drought relief funds and steps are being taken to ensure that affected farmers get their crop insurance claim without any delay.

Many crops suffered. Kharif crops withered due to drought and many farmers did not sow any rabi/winter crops at all. All important crops, like maize, soya, cotton, mosambi, pulses and groundnuts have suffered due to poor rainfall.

Source: Krishi Jagran