As Andhra Pradesh declares drought in 21 districts, Opposition YSRCP asks ‘why so late’
Andhra Pradesh recently declared drought in 21 of its 28 districts, causing outrage from the Opposition YSRCP who accused the government of waiting "too long" to make the declaration. The affected districts, numbering 388 of 688 mandals, have been classified as either "severely affected" or "moderately affected". Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu proposed the interlinking of Godavari and Cauvery river systems to alleviate drought conditions in southern states.
Former Agriculture Minister Kurasala Kannababu and YSRCP State General Secretary Gadikota Srikanth Reddy highlighted the severity of the situation in Rayalaseema region, with 186 of the 388 declared drought mandals located there. The YSRCP also criticized the government for not declaring Nellore as a drought-hit district, claiming that several mandals received less rainfall.
The high-level committee on drought management recommended early declaration of drought in 21 districts instead of waiting for the October 31 deadline, citing a 53.4% rainfall deficit during June-August 2026 and the prevailing El Niño conditions.
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