The Indian state of Maharashtra has announced that 74% of its land is affected by drought following a prolonged period of weak rainfall, raising concerns about widening crop losses and declining rural household incomes. The state is India’s wealthiest and is home to Mumbai, the country’s financial capital.
Rainfall deficit worsens Maharashtra’s drought
The drought declaration came as the India Meteorological Department forecast that the annual monsoon season would end with a rainfall deficit. The stronger-than-usual El Niño phenomenon disrupted rainfall patterns, increasing pressure on areas that rely heavily on rain. Maharashtra has a population of about 130 million and is one of India’s main agricultural states.
Its main crops include cotton, soybeans, sugarcane and pulses, while many of its farmers rely on rainwater for irrigation, leaving crops and household incomes more vulnerable to the effects of drought.
State government to assess crop damage
The state government announced that it would assess the extent of the damage to crops in preparation for providing the necessary assistance to affected farmers, agricultural workers and rural households. The effects of the rainfall shortage have spread to other areas, with the southern Indian state of Karnataka also announcing assistance for farmers in drought-affected areas.
Monsoon rains play a crucial role in India’s economy, with hundreds of millions of people relying on the monsoon season, which runs from June to September, to provide the water needed for agriculture and industrial activities.
Continued weak rainfall is putting further pressure on agricultural production and the incomes of rural residents.
