CM’s stress on creating awareness on El Niño impact resulting in significant rainfall deficiency and drought-like conditions in state

Mumbai: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said severe El Niño impact resulting in significant rainfall deficiency and drought–like conditions in several parts of the State.

Speaking during a discussion on El Niño in the Legislative Assembly today, he stressed the need to create greater awareness about the phenomenon and adopt effective water and crop management measures. The Chief Minister said an estimated 867 mm of rainfall was expected in the State between June and December 2026, but only around 557 mm was likely to be recorded. Rainfall deficiency was recorded at 68 per cent in some districts in July, while deficits of around 35 per cent in August and September, 25 per cent in October and 20 per cent in November were anticipated. December, however, was expected to receive one per cent excess rainfall. He said water availability was declining across various river basins, with reservoirs and irrigation projects reaching critically low levels. Srisailam, which normally receives around 753 TMC of water, had received only 214 TMC this year. Deficit rain falls resulting in reduced inflows into Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar. The Godavari basin was also witnessing reduced water availability.

Recalling the importance of the Pattiseema project, Chandrababu Naidu said the project had been conceived to utilise Godavari waters for the Krishna Delta and optimise the available water in Pulichintala, Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam.“Through Pattiseema around 500 TMC of Godavari water brought to Krishna Delta, making it crucial for more than 13 lakh acres of ayacut,” he said. The government was taking steps to transfer another 40 TMC through Pattiseema. He said efficient water management had enabled the government to release available water to different deltas. The released water should be used judiciously, with drinking water receiving the first priority, followed by industrial requirements. Farmers should focus on horticultural and drought-resilient crops, he added. The Krishna Delta, along with Prakasam, Nellore, Rayalaseema and areas up to Chennai, required around 121.4 TMC of water, the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister said the impact of El Niño was being felt not only in agriculture but also on inflation. Though efficient water management was helping protect some crops, the situation remained serious. The government was focusing on water management, natural farming, crop insurance and marketing support. Paddy cultivation had declined by around 1.14 lakh hectares, while the area under maize, groundnut and millets had also decreased, except pulses. In Rayalaseema Horticulture crops such could be affected. Banana and chilli cultivation in South Andhra and cashew and coconut plantations in North Andhra could also face difficulties.

The Chief Minister urged farmers not to cultivate paddy in the Krishna region in view of the water situation. Public representatives should explain the prevailing conditions to farmers and help them make appropriate crop choices.

Chandrababu Naidu directed MLAs to ensure that all eligible crops were covered under crop insurance, with the deadline falling at the end of August. He said the previous government had failed to pay its share of the crop insurance premium, forcing the coalition government to clear the pending liability. Last year, 19.50 lakh farmers enrolled for crop insurance, while applications had risen to 35.17 lakh this year. Non-loanee enrolment increased tenfold from 2 lakh during the previous Kharif season to 20.35 lakh this year. The area covered under crop insurance increased from 7.83 lakh hectares last year to 15.17 lakh hectares this year. Overall, crops worth around Rs. 13,983 crore had been insured, placing Andhra Pradesh fifth in the country, he said.

The Chief Minister said steps had been taken to establish 20,000 Gokulam sheds this year. Measures should be taken to prevent a decline in dairy production and ensure adequate availability of fodder, as a large number of families depend on the dairy sector for their livelihood. Local committees under the ‘Raitanna Meekosam’ initiative had been constituted with participation from grassroots-level stakeholders to address farmers’ concerns.

The government had prepared a five-point strategy to create awareness and minimise the impact of El Niño including Strengthening Raitanna Meekosam action committees. Ensuring comprehensive crop insurance enrolment. Sowing fodder seeds in high-risk areas. Implementing Jaladhara-2 measures. Minimising farmers’ difficulties while achieving the State’s GSDP targets. The Chief Minister said a short-term action plan had also been prepared to address the El Niño situation.