Drought during the 2026 monsoon has strained crops and water supplies in Karnataka and Maharashtra, with Marathwada particularly hard hit.
Where it stands
Karnataka has declared 217 taluks drought-hit and Maharashtra 265 talukas drought-affected; a federal team has begun assessing Karnataka's losses.
Maharashtra talukas declared drought-affected
265talukas
11 readings
Taluks declared drought-hit
217taluks
4 readings
Karnataka estimated crop losses
46,324INR crore
Maharashtra water tankers deployed
611tankers
Villages vulnerable to drinking water scarcity
1,119villages
Sub-stories
–Pulse
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Following:
October 2026
2 days ago
Oct 9India's drought assessment team inspected farms in Marathwada
Sat, Oct 3
Oct 3Karnataka sought ₹7,143 crore in federal drought relief
Thu, Oct 1
Oct 1India's Congress president urged federal drought aid for Karnataka
September 2026
Mon, Sep 28
Sep 28India's agriculture minister said drought teams would visit both states
Sat, Sep 26
Sep 26Maharashtra declared 265 of its 358 talukas drought-affected
Wed, Sep 23
Sep 23Maharashtra's chief minister and deputy assessed drought-hit farms
Sep 23Karnataka ruling-party legislator resigned over drought-list exclusions
Tue, Sep 22
Sep 22Karnataka's declared drought-hit taluk tally rose to 177
Sep 22Maharashtra formed cabinet panel to oversee drought relief
Sat, Sep 19
Sep 19Maharashtra ordered drought assessments and water scarcity planning
Sep 19Opposition criticised dry fruits served at drought review meeting
Thu, Sep 17
Sep 17Maharashtra's agriculture minister said drought declaration was imminent
Sep 17Karnataka declared 23 more taluks drought-hit
Wed, Sep 16
Sep 16India's former agriculture minister urged Maharashtra to declare drought
Mon, Sep 14
Sep 14Karnataka's chief minister warned of water and electricity shortages
August 2026
Sun, Aug 30
Aug 30Deficient monsoon strained irrigation and damaged crops
July 2026
Tue, Jul 14
Jul 14Karnataka's chief minister requested a central drought assessment team