Andhra Pradesh orders urgent action to protect crops from El Niño drought

Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu has ordered officials to take urgent measures on a “war footing” to protect crops from moisture stress caused by El Niño-induced drought conditions.

Between June 1 and September 12, the state recorded 218.2 mm of rainfall, representing a 54.2 per cent deficit compared to the normal 476.1 mm. Crop stress has been reported across 284 mandals and 1,792 village areas, affecting approximately 244,443 hectares. Of this affected area, over 192,000 hectares are facing moisture stress, while significant portions have experienced wilting or complete drying.

Kurnool has recorded the largest extent of affected land, followed by Nandyal and Anantapur. Red gram and cotton are among the most heavily impacted crops. The Minister has directed agriculture and water resources officials to coordinate closely, utilize all available water sources for protective irrigation, and promote less water-intensive alternative crops. Irrigation Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu also urged farmers under the Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam projects to consider dryland crops.