Andhra Pradesh declares October 1 deadline for drought-affected mandal notifications

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has set October 1 as the deadline for officials to formally declare drought-affected mandals in the state, following a scientific assessment of rainfall deficits and El Nino impacts.

Scientific assessment underway across six departments

Officials informed the Chief Minister that the identification process is currently in progress, drawing on data from six departments covering rainfall patterns, crop cultivation status, groundwater levels, soil moisture percentage and reservoir storage. Preliminary estimates for the 2026-Kharif season reveal that El Nino has impacted 513 mandals across the state, with conditions classified as severe in 268 mandals and moderate in 245 mandals.

The directive came during a review meeting held on Saturday, where Naidu stressed that month-wise data on the El Nino situation must be forwarded to the Union government. The state has already allocated ₹190 crore specifically for protecting horticulture crops from drought damage.

District-level teams assessing crop losses

Field-level inspections are being carried out by agriculture and related departments under the supervision of District Collectors. Local teams are currently evaluating crop damage and yield losses on the ground. District Collectors have been instructed to submit their drought proposals to the Revenue and Disaster Management Departments by September 24, and a State-level committee will review these submissions on September 29.

Over 17,900 hectares of horticulture at high risk

Officials reported that crops under 1,357 Rythu Bharosa Kendras spread across 21 districts fall into the high-risk category due to El Nino. The weather phenomenon has severely affected the production of orange, sweet lime, mango, red chilli, onion and vegetables across approximately 17,916 hectares.

Micro-irrigation and drinking water security prioritised

Naidu instructed officials to prioritise micro-irrigation systems to protect crops using minimal water quantities. He noted that four key services for farmers under the AP Micro Irrigation Project have been integrated with Mana Mitra WhatsApp Governance.

The Chief Minister also directed that no citizen should face drinking water shortages anywhere in the state, ordering water supply through tankers in areas dependent on borewells. He specifically sought a plan to address drinking water issues in Visakhapatnam and ordered that pipeline works supplying water to Meghadrigedda from the Polavaram Left Main Canal be expedited. Officials assured that steps are being taken and that the city currently holds water reserves sufficient for the next two months.

Source: The Hindu