Andhra Pradesh Faces Severe El Niño Rainfall Shortfall

Overview

• Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu told the state assembly on Monday that Andhra Pradesh is likely to receive about 557 mm of rain from June to December 2026, roughly 36% below the normal 867 mm, with sharp monthly shortfalls already recorded.
• Key reservoirs are far below expected inflows: Srisailam has received about 214 TMC against an expected 753 TMC and main reservoirs hold roughly 586 TMC, while the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage is well under capacity.
• The government has issued advisories urging farmers in the Krishna basin to avoid paddy, promoted micro‑irrigation, arranged tankers for standing crops, and expanded crop insurance to widen farmer protection.
• Authorities announced a three‑year contingency and irrigation plan that lists 36 projects with a Rs 35,555 crore outlay to add irrigation to about 19.1 lakh acres and speed up diversions such as Pattiseema.
• Officials say recent management saved about 552 TMC and Pattiseema has diverted roughly 500 TMC to the Krishna delta, but shortages could still raise food prices and squeeze farmer incomes if water or crop shifts fail to reach fields.