Andhra declares 196 'mandals' drought-hit

Hyderabad, Oct 27 : The Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday declared 196 "mandals" or sub-district clusters of 10 villages or more, out of the total 664, drought-affected. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the assessment of rainfall this year show that 196 mandals are drought-affected and his government was working on contingency plans. As many as 150 of the drought-affected mandals are in Rayalseema, which recorded relatively higher rainfall deficit this year. In Rayalaseema, Kurnool accounts for 40 drought-hit mandals while 39 mandals each in Anantapur and Chittoor were also included in the list. There are 33 drought-hit mandals in Kadapa, the fourth district of the backward region. Out of nine districts in coastal Andhra, parts of only three districts were declared drought-affected. The districts and affected mandals are Prakasam (21), Nellore (14) and Srikakulam (10). According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) during southwest monsoon season (June 1 to September 30), coastal Andhra Pradesh received 639.4 mm rainfall against the average of 580.8 mm, but Rayalaseema received 360.6 mm as against the average of 398.6 mm.