Andhra Pradesh Records 60 per Cent Rainfall Deficit in June

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh has recorded a deficit rainfall of around 60 per cent with half of the mandals experiencing a drought-like situation that has impacted hydropower generation and sowing of seeds for this Kharif season.

The deficit is mainly caused by sluggish southwest monsoons caused by the El Nino factor and lack of weather systems in the Bay of Bengal. The monsoon set in over the state on June 4, two days ahead of the scheduled June 6.

According to the water resources information and management system, Nandyal district was the most rain-deficit district in the state, recording a departure of 84 per cent. The district received only 9.71 mm of rain against the normal fall of 62.72 mm.

This is followed by Annamaya district that received 11.72 mm of rain against the normal fall of 65.8 mm, a deficit of 8.6 per cent. West Godavari received 17.3 6 mm of rainfall against 89.61 mm rainfall, registering a departure of 80 per cent, and East Godavari received 21.21 mm of rainfall against the normal fall of 89.13 mm.

The situation for Palnadu district was better as it received 49.78 mm of rainfall against the normal fall of 64.96 mm, recording a deficit of 23.37 per cent.

The deficit rainfall has affected the kharif activities in the state.

“Only 10 per cent of the sowing has been completed from June 1 to June 24. Out of 30.84 lakh hectares, sowing for all the 21 crops was done only in 2.9 lakh hectares,'' agriculture officer Ramana Murthy said.

He said the agriculture department has issued a comprehensive advisory urging farmers across AP to adopt water-efficient farming practices and climate-resilient crop planning.

In view of the anticipated rainfall deficit, the department has advised farmers to select crops based on water availability and adopt soil moisture conservation measures. Farmers have also been encouraged to shift to alternative crops and choose short-duration paddy varieties to reduce risk.

The advisory also emphasises efficient water management practices such as alternate wetting and drying in paddy fields, rainwater harvesting, strengthening field bunds, and constructing farm ponds to store runoff water.

The hydropower sector too has been generating less power owing to the shortage of inflows into the water bodies.

“Hydropower generation in Srisailam complex has completely stopped due to lack of inflows caused by scanty or deficit rainfall. On average, the Srisailam complex generated 15 million units per day,’’ said Sujay Kumar, director of hydropower, AP Genco.

Talking to Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday, he said Sileru is generating five million units per day against the normal generation of eight million units.

Both the complexes generate 25 million units per day when the reservoirs are full. The thermal power plants generate 125 million units while solar plants are also adding power to the grid.

He said the state has an installed capacity of 6,610 megawatts and is currently generating 6,000 megawatts.