Most of Andhra Pradesh declared as drought-hit

Hyderabad: The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh K. Rosaiah Wednedsay declared about 85 per cent of the south Indian state as drought-hit. The move is likely to pave the way for starting relief work on a massive scale and bringing in additional money from the central government.

At a news conference yesterday in the state's capital, Hyderabad, Rosaiah declared 971 mandals (block of villages) out of 1125 mandals as drought-hit as they had recorded 32 per cent deficit in rainfall this monsoon.

However no mandal of Srikakulam and Hyderabd districts were included in the list as Srikakulam had normal rainfall and Hyderabad district is predominantly urban.

The chief minister said he would seek an urgent financial help of Rs4 billion (Dh303 million) from the central government to launch relief measures in the drought-hit areas to take care of the employment of millions of farm labourers and to ensure the supply of drinking water and fodder.

Rosaiah said that as part of the relief measures, the government would launch more rural development works in the affected areas to provide additional work to the farm labourers.

"The late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had planned to declare the drought-hit areas on September 4, but unfortunately he passed away and I am making this announcement," Rosaiah stated.

As part of the relief for farmers, input subsidy will be given for crops which are damaged by 50 per cent or more due to the drought.

The drought was declared even as the situation was improving with the heavy rains during past two weeks in different parts of the state.

However, an indication of the severity of the drought is available from the fact that sowing operation has been carried out on only 538.1 million hectares out of over 790.7 million hectares.

In view of the dry conditions, the government is encouraging farmers to opt for alternative crops such as pulses, castor and sunflower, instead of cultivating paddy, sugarcane, cotton and other commercial crops which requires more water for survival.

On the other hand, the recent rains in the bordering areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka have helped in improving the water level in the two major reservoirs of Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar on the Krishna river.

With the level of water reaching 881.40 feet against the full capacity of 885 feet in the Srisailam reservoir, the authorities have started hydel generation plants to their full capacity.

Similarly, the water level in Nagarjuna Sagar has reached 510 feet and the hydel power generation has started on this project also, easing the power situation in the state to a large extent.

With both the major projects brimming with water, officials said that there will be no problem of drinking water in Hyderabad and its surrounding areas.