YS Jagan Flags 51% Rainfall Deficit, 628 Drought-Hit Mandals in AP

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has coined the term “Yellow Niño” to criticise the State government’s handling of the drought, alleging that administrative inaction has intensified the hardships caused by rainfall deficiency.

Jagan made the remarks during a video conference with YSRCP regional coordinators and district presidents on Thursday. He reviewed the drought situation, crop losses, drinking water shortages and the problems confronting farmers across the State.

Jagan alleged that although Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had warned about the possible impact of El Niño on February 4, the government failed to take adequate precautionary measures. Despite rainfall deficits being recorded in June, July and August, the administration did not declare drought-affected mandals or provide alternative seeds, he claimed. He also alleged that the government failed to arrange sufficient fodder or seek additional employment days under the VB-G RAM G scheme.

According to Jagan, Andhra Pradesh recorded a rainfall deficit of more than 51 per cent from the beginning of the kharif season until September 16. Of the State’s 688 mandals, around 628 were facing drought conditions, while nearly 332 were experiencing severe drought, he claimed.

He said kharif cultivation, normally expected to cover around 76 lakh acres, had reached only 56.4 lakh acres, leaving nearly 20 lakh acres uncultivated. Farmers who proceeded with cultivation despite the conditions had suffered losses of ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per acre, he claimed. Crops including red gram, cotton, groundnut, maize and paddy, along with horticultural plantations, were reportedly affected.

Jagan also criticised the government’s handling of water resources, particularly the use of Srisailam water, and raised concerns over Telangana’s lift irrigation projects near Pulichintala. He alleged that the government was compromising on achieving the full storage capacity of the Polavaram project.

He demanded immediate declaration of drought-hit mandals, loan rescheduling, restoration of free crop insurance and compensation of ₹15,000 per acre for uncultivated land and ₹25,000 per acre for damaged crops. He also sought ₹6,000 crore in input subsidies, payment of pending Annadata Sukhibhava assistance and restoration of interest-free loans.

Jagan further called for fodder distribution, 150 additional employment days, uninterrupted power supply and free drinking-water tankers. He sought an 80 per cent subsidy on tanker water costs to protect horticultural plantations.

He directed YSRCP leaders to visit drought-affected areas, meet farmers and prepare district-wise demands to press the government for relief. Jagan said he would also visit affected regions depending on the severity of the situation.