Six states across southern and western India have declared drought in large parts of their territories for the 2026 Kharif season, as deficient rainfall and prolonged dry spells threaten crop production, livestock and rural livelihoods. Maharashtra has declared 305 talukas drought-affected, while Karnataka has included 226 taluks in its list.
The drought declarations cover hundreds of administrative units across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Governments are preparing or implementing relief measures, including crop-loss compensation, agricultural loan concessions, fodder support and employment assistance.
El Niño compounds rainfall deficit
The drought situation has been attributed to deficient and uneven monsoon rainfall, prolonged dry spells and deteriorating soil moisture, with El Niño conditions adding to concerns over the monsoon's performance. In Telangana, the government has specifically cited strengthening El Niño conditions, weak low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal and dry spells during critical crop-growth stages.
The extent of the crisis varies across states, but the large proportion of drought-affected administrative units highlights the pressure on agricultural production and rural incomes. The impact is particularly significant for farmers whose crops depend on monsoon rainfall and who have limited access to assured irrigation.
Maharashtra: More than 85% of talukas affected
Maharashtra has expanded its drought-affected list to 305 of its 358 talukas after adding 40 more areas on October 14. The number had previously stood at 265, meaning more than 85% of the state's talukas are now covered by the declaration.
The government has announced an initial payment of Rs 5,000 to eligible farmers before Diwali, along with a broader package of concessions. These include crop-loan restructuring, land-revenue relief, agricultural electricity-bill concessions and examination-fee exemptions for eligible students.
The state is also considering the early deployment of water tankers in vulnerable areas, with GPS monitoring to improve oversight and protect drinking-water supplies. Fodder planning, including the purchase of suitable fodder at the Minimum Support Price, is another component of the response.
The initial payment is intended as advance relief; individual entitlements will depend on applicable government orders, eligibility conditions and local implementation.
Karnataka: 226 of 240 taluks declared drought-hit
In Karnataka, nine additional taluks were included in the drought-affected list, taking the total to 226 out of 240. The declaration now covers more than 94% of the state's taluks. The state government is preparing a final memorandum assessing the drought-related losses.
The final estimate will determine the amount of relief sought from the Centre under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines. The assessment is expected to provide a clearer picture of the financial burden on the state and the assistance required to address agricultural losses.
Telangana: 365 mandals affected
Telangana has declared 365 of its 621 mandals drought-affected for the 2026 Kharif season, covering approximately 59% of the state's mandals. The notification includes 111 severely affected and 254 moderately affected mandals across 31 districts. Hyderabad and Peddapalli are the only two districts excluded. Between June 1 and September 30, the state received 615.5 mm of rainfall against the normal 740.6 mm, a deficit of 17%.
The declaration followed an assessment based on rainfall, area sown, soil moisture, groundwater conditions and other indicators under the National Manual for Drought Management, 2016. A Cabinet sub-committee reviewed the effects of El Niño and the evolving rainfall situation on October 23 before recommending action.
Andhra Pradesh: 388 mandals across 21 districts
Andhra Pradesh has declared 388 of its 688 mandals drought-affected across 21 districts for the Kharif season. This represents about 56% of the state's mandals. Of the affected areas, 283 have been classified as severely drought-affected and 105 as moderately affected. The decision followed an assessment of rainfall deficiencies and other drought-related indicators.
The scale of the declaration points to widespread pressure on Kharif cultivation, with the severity classification providing a basis for identifying areas requiring more urgent intervention.
Gujarat: Severe rainfall deficits in four districts
Gujarat has declared Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar and Kutch drought-affected, although the state as a whole received around 89% of its seasonal rainfall. The local deficits were considerably more severe. As of October 15, rainfall in Devbhumi Dwarka was 83.5% below its 30-year average, followed by Porbandar at 69.1%, Jamnagar at 56.7% and Kutch at 42.4%.
The relief package, effective November 1, provides crop-loss compensation of Rs 8,500 per hectare, subject to a maximum of two hectares, under State Disaster Response Fund norms. For livestock kept in cattle camps in drought-declared talukas, assistance of Rs 80 per animal per day will be provided for two months. The state government will subsequently bear the cost of continuing this support, according to the announcement.
Rajasthan: 80 tehsils declared drought-affected
Rajasthan has declared 80 tehsils across 14 districts drought-affected for six months. Of these, 69 are classified as severely affected and 11 as moderately affected. According to the India Meteorological Department, the state received 340.2 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 30, against a normal of 435.6 mm, representing a deficit of 22%.
Jodhpur has the highest number of affected tehsils at 12, followed by Jalore and Barmer with 10 each. The declaration takes into account deficient rainfall and damage to Kharif crops.
The state government has announced that fodder depots will be opened in affected areas to support livestock. Recovery of agricultural loans will also remain suspended for six months.
Relief needs to extend beyond declarations
The drought declarations across the six states underline the need to move quickly from identifying affected areas to delivering assistance. Crop-loss assessments, timely compensation, drinking-water availability, livestock protection and access to credit will be crucial in limiting the immediate damage.
The effectiveness of the response will depend on how quickly relief reaches eligible farmers and whether support is sufficient to help them sustain their livelihoods until the next cropping season. With the affected areas spread across a substantial part of these states, the situation also raises concerns about rural demand, agricultural investment and the financial health of farm households.