As winter comes, a drought-hit district in Maharashtra fears the worst

What happened: A drought in Maharashtra has been declared across 304 of 358 tehsils after an 18% monsoon rain deficit. In Beed district the deficit reached 37%, the worst in a decade, drying up water sources and stunting crops. Key numbers: 304 of 358 tehsils drought-hit; 18% state monsoon deficit; 37% deficit in Beed; cotton pods down from 70 to 80 to under 10; fodder up Why it matters: Farmers report no money and no work, stunted cotton that has not matured, and lower milk production as cattle are fed less. Fodder prices have doubled in two months, adding to the pressure on farm incomes.

A drought in Maharashtra has been declared across 304 of 358 tehsils after an 18% monsoon rain deficit. In Beed district the deficit reached 37%, the worst in a decade, drying up water sources and stunting crops.

Farmers report no money and no work, stunted cotton that has not matured, and lower milk production as cattle are fed less. Fodder prices have doubled in two months, adding to the pressure on farm incomes.