The Dharashiv district in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region is battling an acute water and agricultural crisis after most parts of the district went without rain for 80 days up to September 12, 2026. A government report cited by PTI says that the prolonged dry spell has affected crops and groundwater levels are far below the recent average.
Groundwater Level Drops Sharply
The average groundwater level in Dharashiv has fallen by 7.02 metres compared with the average of the last five years, the district collectorate report said.
The decline has added to concerns over water availability for agriculture and rural areas. As the monsoon is no longer providing a sufficient amount of rain in much of the district, farmers are turning to groundwater and other sources for water supply in the future and are more and more dependent on existing groundwater and other sources.
Nearly 50% Rainfall Deficit
Dharashiv, formerly known as Osmanabad, has received only 310.7 mm of rainfall, compared to an expected average of 603.1 mm. This amounts to a rainfall deficit of 49.49%.
The shortage has been especially serious as the extended dry period occurred at the peak of the Kharif cropping cycle.
Soybean Crop Under Stress
Agriculture has been one of the most impacted by the rainfall shortage. In the current Kharif season, about 5.39 lakh hectares have been taken up for cultivation in Dharashiv so far.
Soybean accounts for about 4.67 lakh hectares, which is one of the most important crops in the district.
But the lack of rain has left soybean fields under severe moisture stress. The government’s report said plants are experiencing problems in flowering, pod formation and grain-filling stages and that those are key to determining crop yields.
Crop Loss Could Reach 80–85%
The district administration has warned that crop losses can reach 80% to 85% if the situation continues.
In some areas, soybean plants have already dried up. Some farmers are taking the dried plants and storing them as fodder for cattle, suggesting the extent of the agricultural crisis is severe.
Such a situation is particularly concerning because crop failures can affect rural farming incomes but also livestock management as well as rural household income.
Drought-Like Conditions Across Maharashtra
Dharashiv’s situation is part of the growing concerns over inadequate monsoon rainfall in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on September 14 that drought-like conditions had developed in 18 districts because of insufficient rainfall. He also said more than half of the state’s farmers are experiencing drought-like conditions.
