The Dharashiv district in central Maharashtra's Marathwada region did not receive rain for 80 days, which can cause crop loss in the range of 80 to 85 per cent, according to a government report.

The lack of rain has caused severe moisture stress during the crucial stages of flowering and pod formation, affecting the development and filling of grains, the district collectorate said in the report. Amid the dire situation, farmers are feeding dried plants from their fields to cattle, it said.