The western Indian state of Maharashstra is experiencing a severe drought, which is putting the food security of millions of Indians at risk.
Maharashtra, which is India’s second most populous state and includes the major city of Mumbai, is also a major agricultural state. The state, one of India’s largest for production of sugar, cotton, and soybeans, is also home to many cattle which are suffering from the drought.
Thousands of Maharashtra residents are only able to get drinking water via tanker truck, as wells and reservoirs are drying up. Some rural residents are fleeing from the state’s drought-stricken regions to its cities.
According to Business Standard, India’s sugar output for the 2013-14 season is expected to decline by 10-15 percent. But, according to Reuters, India is expected to experience a normal monsoon season from June to September, which may bring an end to the drought. Until that happens, however, Maharastra’s farmers will continue to suffer.
