El Nino Drives Drought-Like Conditions Across Karnataka, Maharashtra

Rainfall has been much lower than usual in parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra.

This has made it difficult for farmers to grow crops and for communities to find enough drinking water.

Karnataka has declared most of its administrative areas drought-hit.

The state says farmers have already suffered very large crop losses.

In Maharashtra, the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions are especially badly affected.

Many districts there are facing serious water and farming problems.

Officials are considering relief such as crop compensation, loan changes, water tankers and cattle camps.

The article says El Nino and changing climate conditions contributed to the poor rainfall.

It also says governments should focus first on helping people rather than politicising the crisis.