As nearly 75% of Andhra Pradesh is reeling under drought-like conditions due to the impact of El Nino effect, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday alerted the district authorities on taking up contingency measures to mitigate the crisis.
Officials informed the chief minister that the process of identifying drought-affected mandals was being undertaken by comprehensively analysing information received from six departments. The assessment includes rainfall patterns, extent of cultivation, groundwater levels, soil moisture, satellite imagery and water storage levels in reservoirs. Officials also briefed the Chief Minister about the possible impact of El Niño, in addition to the prevailing rainfall deficit.
Officials told the chief minister that a preliminary assessment for the 2026 kharif season indicated drought-like conditions in 513 mandals across 28 districts. Of these, conditions were classified as severe in 268 mandals and moderate in 245 mandals, according to the preliminary assessment. Crops falling under 1,357 Rythu Seva Kendras (RSKs) in 21 districts have been identified as being in the high-risk category, according to the officials. They said El Niño-related conditions could affect horticultural and other crops spread over 17,916 hectares, including orange, sweet orange (battayi), mango, red chilli, onion and vegetable crops.
