Drought conditions reported in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

Significant drought conditions have emerged in parts of central and western India due to deficient monsoon rainfall.

In Madhya Pradesh, the government is considering declaring 12 districts drought-affected to provide special assistance. The focus of this proposed aid is to address drinking water shortages and support farmers. Alirajpur has recorded the most severe deficit, with rainfall approximately 52 percent below normal. Other affected districts include Indore, Ujjain, Betul, Harda, Narmadapuram, Ratlam, Jhabua, Dhar, Shajapur, and Pandhurna.

In Rajasthan, the state government has officially declared 80 tehsils across 14 districts as drought-affected. This decision follows assessments of rainfall levels, groundwater availability, and the poor condition of Kharif crops based on the Drought Management Code-2016. In the Jalore district, all 10 tehsils have been included in the drought list. The declaration invokes the Rajasthan Affected Areas (Suspension of Proceedings) Act, 1952, which will remain in effect for six months. Farmers in these regions face significant economic risks due to crop damage estimated at 80 to 90 percent in some areas.