India, Sept. 16 -- As many as 20 of Maharashtra's 36 districts recorded a rainfall deficit of at least 20% during the monsoon season and many areas did not receive any rain for more than 30 consecutive days, damaging Kharif crops and worsening the water crisis, according to a presentation made before the state cabinet on Tuesday.

Considering the drought-like situation facing many parts of the state, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the administration to initiate relief measures to help farmers without waiting for the official survey to assess crop damage as per National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) guidelines, scheduled to begin on October 5.

According to the presentation, Maharashtra received 632.5 mm rainfall during the mon...