Andhra Pradesh declares 196 mandals as drought-hit

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government has declared 196 mandals (revenue units comprising a varying number of villages) in seven districts, as drought-affected during the Kharif season of this year.

"Government after careful examination of the recommendations of the Committee on Drought and keeping in view of the reports furnished by the District Collectors have decided to declare 196 mandals  (out of a total 670 in the state) in seven districts of Andhra Pradesh viz Srikakulam-10 Prakasam - 21, Nellore -14, Chittoor - 39, Kadapa - 33, Anantapur -39 and Kurnool - 40, as drought affected Mandals in Khariff-2015," a Government Order (GO) said.

Majority of the drought-hit mandals are in the Rayalaseema districts of Kurnool, Kadapa, Chittoor and Anantapur, while others are in the coastal districts of Srikakulam, Prakasam and Nellore.

Consequent to the declaration of drought, the government directed the concerned district Collectors to notify the specific drought-hit areas in the District Gazette to enable farmers to avail credit facilities.

The district Collectors have also been directed to initiate other relief measures as per the norms.

During South West Monsoon-2015 (June 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015), the state received a rainfall of 519.7 mm as against the normal rainfall of 549.1 mm with a deviation of (-) 5.4 per cent, whereas rainfall received during the previous year (2014) was 375.7 mm with a deviation of (-) 32 per cent for the corresponding period, the GO said. 

Claiming that drought conditions are prevailing all over the state, the main opposition YSR Congress Party said the TDP government declaring only 196 mandals as drought-hit is ridiculous.

"It is ridiculous on part of the government to declare 196 mandals as drought hit though all the mandals in the 13 districts are badly affected due to deficit rainfall and agricultural operations were taken up only in 50 per cent of the cultivable area.”

"This shows the magnitude of the situation and Agriculture minister himself had admitted in August that over 325 mandals are affected," party spokesperson Vasireddy Padma told reporters here.

The state government should come up with an action plan and announce how it is going to deal with the situation as even Krishna delta is facing drinking water shortage, she said.

As promised in the election manifesto, Padma said, TDP government should categorically state whether it would set up market stabilization fund and provide crop insurance to the farmers.

While cotton, tobacco and other crops were hampered, it would be the turn of paddy if proper steps are not taken in time and the state should announce its action plan immediately, she added.