Andhra Pradesh declares early kharif drought across 388 mandals

Andhra Pradesh has invoked drought protocols across a substantial portion of its agricultural heartland, with state authorities attributing the crisis to a 53.4 percent rainfall deficit recorded between June and August. The deficiency during the crucial monsoon months has prompted the administration to classify the affected regions and initiate relief measures ahead of the full kharif harvest cycle.

Among the 388 mandals declared drought-hit, 283 have been categorized as severely drought-affected, indicating widespread agricultural distress. Officials have linked the precipitation shortfall to El Niño climatic conditions, which have disrupted normal monsoon patterns across South Asia. The early declaration allows state authorities to mobilize resources and implement support schemes for farmers in the affected areas.

The drought declaration encompasses mandals across 21 districts in the state, though the severity varies by region. Agricultural communities in severely affected mandals face heightened risks of crop failure and livestock stress, necessitating immediate government intervention through irrigation support, input subsidies, and rural employment schemes.

State officials have begun ground-level assessments to determine the extent of crop damage and formulate targeted response strategies. The declaration is expected to trigger financial assistance under existing drought relief frameworks, including rural employment guarantee schemes and agricultural credit facilities for distressed farmers.