The affected talukas are located in 26 of the state’s 36 districts and as many as 112 face severe drought.
The dry belt of Marathwada is the worst hit, with as many as 44 talukas facing severe drought and three a moderate one.
North Maharashtra is also badly affected, with 33 talukas facing a severe drought and six a moderate version.
In the Konkan, only one district has been impacted.
Besides rainfall and ground water level, the lowered moisture content in the soil as a result of a dry spell of 21-28 days, extent of sowing, vegetation cover and crop loss were among the parameters used to assess the drought according to the Centre’s drought manual for 2016.
State’s drought-hit farmers entitled to monetary relief To qualify for “trigger 1” drought assessment, the talukas had to report a rainfall deficit of below 75% of normal rain and a dry spell of 21 to 28 days.
For the third stage, the state conducted “ground truthing” or an eye survey of five major crops in 10% of the affected area, to assess if 33% or more of the crop has been impacted.
To qualify for severe drought, three of four key impact indicators have to apply.
Drought-affected areas are also entitled to relief under the NDRF.
With dry conditions taking grip, the state had on October 23 declared relief for 180 talukas that reported trigger 2 level drought assessment.