AMARAVATI, September 19, 2026: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to scientifically assess the state's rainfall deficit and declare drought-affected mandals by October 1, while taking advance measures to prevent crop losses.
Naidu issued the directions during a review meeting at his camp office on Saturday on the state's rainfall situation, the impact of drought, the condition of agricultural and horticultural crops, problems faced by farmers, measures required to protect standing crops and drinking-water availability.
The Chief Minister also instructed officials to send a report on the state's rainfall and drought situation to the Centre every month.
Officials told the Chief Minister that the drought assessment was being carried out using data from six departments. The assessment includes rainfall patterns, crop coverage, groundwater levels, soil moisture, satellite imagery and water storage in reservoirs.
Drought conditions reported in 513 mandals
Officials presented a preliminary assessment for the 2026 kharif season, according to which drought-like conditions have been identified in 513 mandals across 28 districts.
Of these, conditions were classified as severe in 268 mandals and moderate in 245 mandals, officials said.
The Agriculture Department will conduct field-level assessments to determine the extent of crop and yield losses. Field teams working under the supervision of district collectors will inspect affected areas and submit their findings to the collectors.
District collectors will subsequently forward drought proposals to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. September 24 has been set as the deadline for submitting the proposals, while the state-level committee will examine them at a meeting scheduled for September 29.
Horticulture crops face El Niño-related risks
The Chief Minister directed officials to give priority to protecting horticultural crops, for which ₹190 crore has already been allocated.
Officials briefed Naidu on the combined impact of deficient rainfall and El Niño conditions. Crops falling under 1,357 Rythu Seva Kendras across 21 districts have been identified as being in a high-risk category, they said.
According to the assessment, around 17,916 hectares of crops, including oranges, sweet oranges, mangoes, red chillies, onions and vegetables, could be affected by the prevailing conditions.
With water availability declining, Naidu called for greater emphasis on micro-irrigation to protect larger cultivated areas with limited water resources.
Officials also said four key farmer services under the Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation Project (APMIP) had been brought under the Mana Mitra WhatsApp governance platform.
Naidu directed officials to encourage farmers to adopt micro-irrigation as well as natural farming practices to reduce dependence on water-intensive cultivation.
Measures ordered to prevent drinking-water shortages
Naidu instructed officials to ensure that people across the state do not face drinking-water shortages because of the prevailing dry conditions.
In areas dependent on borewells, additional water tankers should be deployed wherever necessary, he said.
The Chief Minister paid particular attention to Visakhapatnam's drinking-water situation, directing officials to begin contingency measures immediately.
He asked engineers and contractors to hold an urgent meeting and accelerate works related to the city's water supply. Officials were also asked to examine options for filling reservoirs near Visakhapatnam on a war footing.
Naidu directed officials to speed up the work of transporting water to Meghadrigadda Reservoir through a pipeline from the Polavaram Left Main Canal, under Package No. 8.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that Visakhapatnam currently has drinking-water reserves sufficient for approximately two more months.
