India, Oct. 6 -- The Centre has constituted a team to assess the situation in Maharashtra, where 265 of the 358 talukas have been declared drought-affected, state Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne said.

The team will visit drought-affected areas in coordination with the state government and assess the severity of the situation and make recommendations for relief and rehabilitation. It will submit its report to the Centre on the basis of its assessment, Bharne said in a release issued on Monday evening.

Nearly 80 per cent of the state is under the shadow of drought and crops have suffered extensive damage. The team's visit is expected to expedite the process of providing central assistance to drought-affected farmers, the statement s...