Andhra Pradesh Declares Drought in 388 Mandals Across 21 Districts
The Andhra Pradesh government has officially declared 388 mandals across 21 districts as drought affected for the South-West Monsoon Kharif 2026 season. The early declaration comes after a significant rainfall shortage during the June to August period and is aimed at enabling relief measures for affected farmers and rural households.
Andhra Pradesh Drought Declaration 2026
Andhra Pradesh has declared drought conditions across 388 mandals located in 21 districts for the Kharif 2026 agricultural season. The decision was taken earlier than the usual drought declaration timeline because the state recorded a substantial rainfall deficit during the early monsoon months.
According to the government order, Andhra Pradesh received an average rainfall of 197.6 mm between June 1 and August 31, 2026, compared with the normal rainfall of 424.3 mm for the same period. This represents a rainfall deficit of 53.4%.
The declaration is particularly important for farming communities because drought notification can facilitate access to relief measures, agricultural credit support, loan restructuring and other assistance available under applicable government disaster-response mechanisms.
283 Mandals Classified as Severe Drought
Out of the 388 drought-affected mandals, 283 have been classified under the severe drought category, while 105 have been classified as moderately affected. The drought impact has been particularly significant across Rayalaseema and several southern and coastal parts of Andhra Pradesh.
Severe Drought
283 mandals have been placed in the severe drought category.
Moderate Drought
105 mandals have been classified as moderately drought affected.
Why Did Andhra Pradesh Declare Drought Early?
Under the standard drought management framework, drought declarations are generally made after assessment of rainfall and other relevant indicators over the agricultural season. However, Andhra Pradesh moved ahead with an early declaration for Kharif 2026 because of the large rainfall deficit and continuing dry conditions.
The decision was based on a multi-level assessment of drought indicators. The assessment considered rainfall deviation and dry spells along with agricultural, vegetation, moisture and water-resource indicators.
Key Assessment Indicators
- Rainfall deviation and prolonged dry spells.
- Sown Area Index and agricultural conditions.
- Vegetation condition assessment using remote sensing data.
- Moisture Adequacy Index.
- Reservoir storage and groundwater-related indicators.
- Field-level assessment reports submitted by district authorities.
21 Districts Covered Under the Drought Declaration
The drought declaration covers 21 districts across different regions of Andhra Pradesh. The notified districts include:
| No. | District | Region / Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Srikakulam | North Andhra |
| 2 | Vizianagaram | North Andhra |
| 3 | Visakhapatnam | North Andhra |
| 4 | Anakapalli | North Andhra |
| 5 | Kakinada | Coastal Andhra |
| 6 | East Godavari | Coastal Andhra |
| 7 | Eluru | Coastal Andhra |
| 8 | Krishna | Coastal Andhra |
| 9 | NTR | Coastal Andhra |
| 10 | Guntur | Coastal Andhra |
| 11 | Bapatla | Coastal Andhra |
| 12 | Palnadu | Coastal Andhra |
| 13 | Prakasam | South Andhra |
| 14 | Markapuram | South Andhra |
| 15 | Kurnool | Rayalaseema |
| 16 | Nandyal | Rayalaseema |
| 17 | Ananthapuramu | Rayalaseema |
| 18 | Sri Satya Sai | Rayalaseema |
| 19 | YSR Kadapa | Rayalaseema |
| 20 | Annamayya | Rayalaseema |
| 21 | Chittoor | Rayalaseema |
What Does the Drought Declaration Mean for Farmers?
The drought notification creates a formal basis for implementing relief and support measures in the affected mandals. Farmers and agricultural households in notified areas may become eligible for assistance available under applicable state and central relief frameworks, subject to the relevant rules and conditions.
- Emergency agricultural credit support can be facilitated in affected areas.
- Eligible agricultural loans may be considered for restructuring under applicable guidelines.
- Input subsidy and drought relief assistance may be processed through relevant government mechanisms.
- District administrations can implement additional drought-response measures according to the notified framework.
Impact on Kharif Agriculture
The rainfall deficit has created additional pressure on Kharif agriculture across affected regions. Reduced rainfall can influence sowing operations, crop establishment, soil moisture, groundwater availability and irrigation requirements.
The impact can vary significantly from one mandal to another depending on rainfall distribution, irrigation infrastructure, crop pattern, reservoir conditions and local groundwater availability. The drought classification therefore provides a formal framework for targeted intervention rather than treating the entire state uniformly.
Why Rayalaseema Is a Major Concern
Rayalaseema has emerged as one of the most severely affected areas under the 2026 drought declaration. A substantial share of the notified drought mandals is located in this region, increasing pressure on agriculture, groundwater and rural livelihoods.
Districts such as Ananthapuramu, Sri Satya Sai, Kurnool, Nandyal, Annamayya, YSR Kadapa and Chittoor are among the areas covered by the drought notification.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Season | South-West Monsoon Kharif 2026 |
| Drought-Affected Districts | 21 |
| Affected Mandals | 388 |
| Severe Drought Mandals | 283 |
| Moderate Drought Mandals | 105 |
| Rainfall Recorded | 197.6 mm |
| Normal Rainfall | 424.3 mm |
| Rainfall Deficit | 53.4% during June-August 2026 |
Andhra Pradesh Drought 2026 FAQs
How many mandals in Andhra Pradesh have been declared drought affected?
A total of 388 mandals across 21 districts have been declared drought affected for the Kharif 2026 season.
How many mandals are under severe drought?
Out of the 388 affected mandals, 283 have been classified as severely drought affected and 105 as moderately affected.
Why was drought declared early in Andhra Pradesh?
The state recorded a 53.4% rainfall deficit during June to August 2026. The government also considered drought indicators and prevailing weather conditions while making the early declaration.
Will farmers receive drought relief?
The drought notification enables the government to implement applicable relief, credit support, loan restructuring and other assistance measures in accordance with relevant rules and eligibility conditions.
Which region is most affected by the drought?
Rayalaseema and parts of southern Andhra Pradesh have been among the most severely affected areas under the 2026 drought declaration.
Conclusion
Andhra Pradeshs declaration of drought across 388 mandals in 21 districts is a significant development for the states agricultural sector. With rainfall during June to August falling 53.4% below normal, the early notification provides a formal framework for relief and support measures in affected areas.
The immediate focus will be on supporting farmers, managing water stress, facilitating eligible agricultural credit measures and reducing the impact of drought on rural livelihoods during the Kharif 2026 season.
