The rainfall deficit is severely impacting kharif crop production, with paddy, soybean, groundnut, sugarcane, and cotton acreage all lower than last year. Eastern and southern states, which are major paddy-growing regions, have received minimal rainfall, raising concerns about a potential decline in rice production. Farmers in rain-fed areas, such as Maharashtra, have reportedly destroyed stressed crops like soybean due to insufficient rainfall. The drought conditions are also affecting 40% of northern India, 45% of northwestern India, 82% of western India, 70% of southern India, 45% of eastern India, and 64% of the Northeast.