More mandals declared drought-hit in AP

The Andhra Pradesh Government has declared 44 more mandals as drought-affected today located in Guntur, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts taking the number of rain deficit mandals to be declared hit to 709.

On Wednesday, the Government had added 13 more mandals located in Visakhapatnam, Medak and Karimnagar factoring adverse seasonal conditions leading to damage of standing crops after the retreat of the South-West monsoon.

These three districts where 44 mandals have been declared as drought-affected have received scanty rain with dry spells resulting in damage to standing rain-fed crops. According to the assessment, there has been moisture stress and the administration has called upon the Revenue Department to consider them for special treatment.

With today's announcement by the Revenue Department in the State, 709 mandals across 21 districts have been declared drought-affected. These mandals would be entitled to special focus and follow up support. The State Government may take up with the Centre for special financial assistance.

This development follows a detailed review of the adverse seasonal conditions prevailing in parts of the State from the data provided by District Collectors. The Government today issued orders declaring them as drought hit.

According to the data, the State received an average rainfall of 532.7 mm as against normal rainfall of 624.1 mm, with a deviation of minus 15 per cent during June-September 2011.

Twenty-one districts have received deficit rainfall of 20 per cent. During the North East Monsoon phase of October onwards till date, the State received 622.8 mm rainfall as against normal rainfall of 811.2 mm normal rain.

vrishi@thehindu.co.in

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