The Rajasthan government has declared 80 tehsils across 14 districts drought-affected following below-normal monsoon rainfall, declining water availability and damage to kharif crops. According to notifications issued by the state’s Disaster Management, Relief and Civil Defence Department on October 24 and 25, 2026, 69 tehsils have been classified as severely drought-affected, while 11 fall under the moderately affected category.
The declaration will remain in force for six months from the date of publication. Jodhpur has the highest number of affected tehsils, at 12, followed by Jalore and Barmer with 10 each. The decision is expected to facilitate relief measures for farmers and livestock owners facing agricultural losses and water shortages.
80 Tehsils Affected
The drought declaration covers Banswara, Barmer, Balotra, Bikaner, Churu, Dungarpur, Beawar, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Phalodi, Nagaur, Pali and Sirohi. The two government notifications collectively bring 80 tehsils under the drought classification, with the severity determined by rainfall deficiency, water availability and crop conditions.
Among the affected areas, Jodhpur accounts for 12 tehsils, the highest number in the state. Jalore and Barmer have 10 each, followed by Balotra with nine and Pali with eight. Dungarpur, Jaisalmer and Phalodi have seven affected tehsils each, while Banswara has three. Churu and Beawar have two each, and Bikaner, Nagaur and Sirohi have one each.
The distinction between severe and moderate drought is significant because the assessment reflects differences in local conditions. All the notified tehsils in Barmer, Jalore, Balotra and Pali have been classified as severely affected. In Jodhpur, 11 tehsils fall into the severe category, while Pipar Shahar has been classified as moderately affected. These classifications highlight the uneven impact of rainfall shortages across the state and the need to assess the circumstances of individual communities.
Rainfall Deficit Deepens
The declaration follows a monsoon season in which Rajasthan received considerably less rainfall than its seasonal average. According to a Water Resources Department report dated September 30, the state received 350.83 millimetres of rainfall between June 1 and September 30, against the normal 424.71 millimetres. This represents a shortfall of 73.88 millimetres, or approximately 17 per cent.
The impact has been particularly pronounced in several districts where agriculture and livestock rearing depend heavily on seasonal rainfall. The same report identified 14 of Rajasthan’s 41 districts as rainfall-deficient, while 24 received normal rainfall and three recorded excess rainfall. Districts with rainfall shortages included Balotra, Banswara, Dungarpur, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Pali and Sirohi.
Water storage levels have also raised concerns. The report recorded water storage across 693 monitored dams at 62.16 per cent of their combined capacity, compared with 90.19 per cent on the corresponding date in 2025. In the Water Resources Department’s Jodhpur zone, storage stood at just 15.98 per cent, against 80.45 per cent a year earlier.
These figures provide important context for understanding the drought declaration. Inadequate rainfall can reduce soil moisture, affect crop development and leave farmers with lower yields or substantial losses. At the same time, declining water availability can create additional difficulties for households and livestock owners, particularly in rural communities that have limited alternatives during prolonged dry spells.
Relief Measures Expected
The drought declaration is intended to provide an administrative basis for relief measures in the affected areas. According to reports citing the government decision, the classification is expected to help authorities address the difficulties faced by farmers and livestock owners. The six-month period during which the declaration remains in force will allow the administration to respond to drought-related needs under the applicable provisions.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s government has taken the decision after assessments of rainfall, surface and groundwater availability, and crop conditions. The notifications also draw on information from the Centre’s Drought Monitoring Portal and the Drought Management Manual, 2016, which provides guidance for assessing drought conditions.
Rajasthan Assembly Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg was reported as saying that drought-like conditions had developed in several parts of the state and that the government had taken the decision in view of the situation. Reports also indicated that fodder depots would be established in affected areas to help livestock owners facing difficulties in securing feed for their animals.
However, the declaration itself does not establish how much assistance each farmer will receive or when individual relief measures will reach every affected village. The implementation of the decision, including access to fodder, water and other necessary support, will therefore be important in determining how effectively the government addresses the situation.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Declaring drought-affected areas is an important step, but timely and transparent relief must reach farmers and livestock owners facing crop losses and water shortages. Alongside immediate assistance, investments in water conservation and sustainable farming are essential to help rural communities prepare for future droughts. What measures should be prioritised to support affected families and build long-term resilience?
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