Naidu Wants Drought-Hit Mandals Identified By October 1

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday directed officials to scientifically assess the drought situation in Andhra Pradesh and identify the drought-hit mandals by October 1. He wanted measures to prevent crop losses and shortage of drinking anywhere in the state.

The Chief Minister reviewed at his Amaravati camp office prevailing dry conditions in the state, their impact on agriculture and horticulture, problems faced by farmers, measures to protect crops, and drinking water availability. He ordered officials to send monthly reports on the drought situation in AP to the centre.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that drought-hit areas are being identified based on inputs from six departments, taking into account rainfall, crop coverage, groundwater levels, soil moisture, satellite imagery, and reservoir storage.

A preliminary assessment indicates drought conditions in 513 mandals across all 28 districts of the state. Of these, 268 mandals are facing severe drought.

Agriculture department will conduct field-level assessments under the supervision of district collectors to determine crop and yield losses. Field teams will submit their reports to collectors, who will forward drought proposals to the Revenue and Disaster Management department by September 24. These proposals will be examined by a state-level committee on September 29.

Naidu said horticultural crops should receive priority in taking ameliorative measures. He pointed out that ₹190 crore have already been allocated for their protection. Officials briefed the CM on the possible impact of El Niño on horticulture crops, saying crops in 1,357 Rythu Seva Kendras (RSKs) across 21 districts have been placed in the high-risk category.

It is estimated that 17,916 hectares of orange, sweet orange, mango, red chilli, onion, and vegetable crops could be affected by El Nino and deficient rainfall.

With water availability declining, the Chief Minister suggested micro-irrigation to serve larger areas with lesser water. Four key services under the Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation Project (APMIP) have been made available to farmers through the ‘Mana Mitra’ WhatsApp governance platform.

Naidu ordered officials to ensure that no part of the state faces a drinking water crisis. Areas dependent on borewells should be supplied additional water through tankers wherever necessary.

He called for immediate action to prevent a drinking water crisis in Visakhapatnam. He ordered quick execution of the pipeline project to divert water from the Polavaram Left Main Canal to Meghadrigadda under Package-8.

Officials disclosed that Visakhapatnam currently has water reserves sufficient for another two months. The CM asked officials to initiate measures on war-footing to fill the reservoirs near Visakhapatnam.