India, Sept. 28 -- Nearly half the residents of Ambesavali village in Maharashtra's Beed district have migrated in search of work, according to the deputy sarpanch, as drought leaves farmers and agricultural labourers without income.

The crisis comes just 11 months after devastating floods destroyed farmland and standing crops across the Marathwada region in October 2025.

Maharashtra has declared drought in 265 of its 364 talukas, or nearly 73%, triggering relief measures as farmers report failed crops, dry tube wells and depleted irrigation reserves.

Farmers say the current drought could be worse than those of 2013-14 and 2015-16, with some facing losses of up to Rs 2.5 lakh in cultivation costs.

Water tankers are supplying 94 villag...