Central Team Inspects Drought During Rabi

Anantapur: The inter-ministerial central team that inspected drought conditions prevailing during Rabi season 2023–24 in Rayalaseema region held a review meeting at the Revenue Bhavan on Wednesday.

The team comprised joint secretary and CEO Rithesh Chowhan, Chinmay Pundlik Rao, Dr. K Ponnu Swamy, Sunil Dube, Asish Pandey, and Aravindakumar Soni, among others.

Senior official R. Kurmanath pointed out that 87 mandals – 10 in Nellore, 14 in Anantapur, 31 in Prakasam and 18 from Kurnool have been declared as drought hit mandals in the state due to poor rainfall during peak period. About Rs.228 crore worth of crop was damaged in 2.52 lakh hectares in the state.

Anantapur collector Vinod Kumar pointed out that groundwater table depleted to 15.22 metres in May 2024, while it had been at 7.67 metres in May 2023.