India, Sept. 27 -- With 32 of the state's 36 districts reeling under an acute water shortage due to deficient rainfall, the Maharashtra government on Saturday declared a drought in 265 of the state's 358 talukas (tehsils or sub-districts), accounting for 74% of the talukas. The decision was taken after the prevailing situation fulfilled the Trigger-I criteria under the Drought Management Code. According to Maharashtra's drought manual, Trigger-I is activated when an area experiences dry spell for more than 21 days and the cumulative rainfall in June-July is below 50% and same in June-September is below 75%.

The decision was based on the agriculture commissioner's assessment of rainfall deficiency and other drought-related indicators up t...