Andhra Pradesh has officially declared drought in 388 mandals spread across 21 districts after one of the weakest southwest monsoons the state has seen in years. The government order, issued in early October, classifies 283 mandals as severely hit and 105 as moderately hit, opening the door for relief measures for farmers who have watched their kharif crops wither through a dry summer.
How bad was the monsoon?
The numbers explain the decision. Between June 1 and August 31, Andhra Pradesh received an average of just 197.6 mm of rain against a normal of 424.3 mm. That is a shortfall of about 53 per cent, meaning the state got less than half the rain it usually depends on during the most important months of the farming calendar.
The weakness was not limited to Andhra Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department has said the 2026 monsoon ended on September 30 with a 12.6 per cent rainfall deficit for the country as a whole, making it the driest monsoon in 11 years and the fourth driest this century. Experts have linked the poor rains to El Niño, the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean that often weakens India's monsoon. Maharashtra had already declared drought in nearly three-fourths of its sub-districts in September.
Andhra Pradesh drought 2026: key facts
| Districts declared drought-hit | 21 |
| Mandals affected | 388 |
| Severe drought mandals | 283 |
| Moderate drought mandals | 105 |
| Rainfall received (June 1 – Aug 31) | 197.6 mm |
| Normal rainfall for the period | 424.3 mm |
| Deficit | About 53% |
| Hardest-hit region | Rayalaseema (186 of 388 mandals) |
| Season | Kharif 2026 |
Which districts are on the list
The drought notification covers a wide sweep of the state, from the north coastal belt to Rayalaseema in the south. The 21 districts are:
- North Andhra and Godavari belt: Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, East Godavari and Eluru
- Central coastal Andhra: Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam and Markapuram
- Rayalaseema: Kurnool, Nandyal, Ananthapuramu, Sri Satya Sai, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya and Chittoor
Rayalaseema, which is already one of the most drought-prone regions in south India, accounts for 186 of the 388 affected mandals and 159 of the 283 mandals marked as severe. Reports from the region describe dried-up borewells and villages that now depend on water tankers for daily needs.
Why the early declaration matters
Drought declarations for the kharif season are usually made towards the end of October, once the full monsoon picture is clear. By moving earlier, the state can start the process of assessing crop losses and seeking help from the Centre sooner.
An official drought tag is important for farmers because it makes the affected areas eligible for drought-related relief. Under national guidelines, this typically includes input subsidy for crop loss, relief on loan recovery, support under rural employment schemes and drinking water arrangements. The exact package for Andhra Pradesh has not yet been announced. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is expected to raise drought relief with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers during his meetings in New Delhi.
Opposition questions the timing
The YSR Congress Party has criticised the government, arguing that it should have acted earlier when the rainfall shortage first became obvious. The party has also raised concerns that parts of Nellore district were left out of the notification even though farmers there have faced similar conditions.
What it means for people in Andhra Pradesh
For farmers who grow rain-fed crops like groundnut, cotton, red gram and millets, a 53 per cent rain deficit can mean the difference between a harvest and a total loss. Many sowed late, waiting for rains that never came, and some did not sow at all. Agricultural labourers who depend on daily farm work are also losing income.
In towns and villages, the shortage is showing up in drinking water. With groundwater levels falling, local bodies may need to run more tanker services in the coming months, especially in Rayalaseema before the next summer.
Consumers across the state could also feel the effect through vegetable and pulse prices if output falls sharply, though that will depend on how the rabi season turns out and whether the northeast monsoon brings some relief to coastal districts from October onwards.
What happens next
The next steps are a detailed crop loss assessment and a formal memorandum to the Centre seeking financial assistance. A central team usually visits drought-declared states to verify the damage before funds are released. Farmers in the notified mandals should keep their land and crop records, including e-crop booking details, ready, as relief payments are generally linked to these records. The state may also add more mandals if conditions worsen and the northeast monsoon fails to make up the shortfall.
Comments (0)