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, affecting 388 of 688 mandals. The government announced this for the South-West Monsoon 2026 Kharif season in an order issued on October 1. Opposition YSRCP has criticized the government for the delayed declaration, stating that conditions had been severe since the first week of September itself.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu proposed interlinking the Godavari and Cauvery river systems to make southern states drought-free. Former Agriculture Minister Kurasala Kannababu and YSRCP State General Secretary Gadikota Srikanth Reddy highlighted that Rayalaseema region has been heavily impacted, with 186 of the 388 drought-declared mandals located in the region, and 159 of the 283 severe-drought mandals also situated there.

They also alleged that nearly seven lakh borewells had dried up by August, with mango and citrus orchards withering and farmers relying on tankers to save plantations. The YSRCP further accused the government of not including Nellore in the drought-hit districts, claiming that several mandals there received less rainfall. The high-level committee recommended early declaration of drought in 21 districts in a meeting on September 30, instead of waiting for the October 31 deadline for the 2026 Kharif season drought.