Mumbai, Oct. 11 -- Facing one of the worst farm crises in recent years, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday made a sombre appeal for unity and strict water discipline.

Recalling how unpredictable weather first raised hopes of a record harvest before turning into a widespread dry spell, he urged people to prioritise drinking water over rabi crop irrigation to save lives in the difficult summer months ahead.

Opening his address by acknowledging the scale of suffering across the state, he said, "Brothers and sisters, this year has brought profound distress to us all. It is a year of severe challenges where we must stand side-by-side and fight this battle against drought together."

He then explained the cruel turn the mo...