245 Mandals In Seven AP Districts Declared Drought-Hit 

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Government on Friday declared 245 mandals in seven districts of the state as drought-affected during the Kharif agricultural season because of deficient rainfall during the southwest monsoon period.

As against the normal 556 mm, the state received 533.8 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 30 this year, marking a deviation of minus four (-4) per cent. In 2015, the deviation in rainfall was -5.4 per cent, according to Disaster Management Commissioner K Dhananjaya Reddy.

Based on the reports furnished by the respective district Collectors, the Committee on Drought recommended declaration of 245 mandals in the state as drought-hit.

Accordingly, a Government Order was issued notifying the drought-hit mandals. Anantapuramu, known as a perennially drought-hit, accounted for the highest number of 63 mandals followed by Chittoor with 53. Kurnool (36), Kadapa (32), SPS Nellore (27), Prakasam (23) and Srikakulam (11) are the other districts that have been declared as drought-affected.

In an order issued on Friday, the Disaster Management Commissioner asked the respective district Collectors to notify the drought-hit mandals in the district gazette to enable farmers avail of credit facilities. The Collectors were also asked to immediately take up relief operations in the drought-hit mandals.

PTI