MUMBAI, 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 to September 24. The much-awaited government resolution (GR) was issued on Saturday, two days after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde toured some of the worst-affected villages. The GR also underscored a package of 12 measures and concessions for farmers in the affected talukas. According to the government officials, drought is officially announced only when Trigger-2 conditions are met. However, after his tour of the severely parched regions, the CM formally reclassified the state's condition from 'drought-like' to a full 'drought' situation. "Trigger-2, which takes into account groundwater levels, soil wetness index, sowing percentage and the crop distress index, will be assessed after September 30," said an official from the Relief and Rehabilitation Department. The state government and experts have warned that the next nine months could be a challenge if the retreating monsoon does not bring sufficient rainfall over the next two weeks....