Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu asks officials to declare drought-hit mandals in Andhra Pradesh on October 1

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials to assess deficit rainfall conditions in the State in a scientific manner and declare drought-hit mandals on October 1.

The month-wise situation arising from El Nino should be informed to the Union government, Mr. Naidu said in a review meeting on Saturday, and noted that a sum of ₹190 crore had already been earmarked for the protection of horticulture crops.

Officials told the Chief Minister that the process of identifying drought-hit mandals was in progress with data related to rainfall, crop cultivation, groundwater levels, soil moisture percentage and storage in the reservoirs collated from six departments.

They said preliminary estimates for the 2026-Kharif season indicated the impact of El Nino on 513 mandals and the situation was severe in 268 mandals and moderate in 245 mandals.