Andhra Pradesh Drought: CPM Seeks Drought Status for 544 Mandals as Farmers Face Mounting Losses
Opposition grows over the government’s drought declaration
Andhra Pradesh is facing a growing debate over the extent of drought conditions across the state. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM, has called for 544 mandals to be officially recognized as drought-affected, arguing that the government’s recently announced list does not adequately reflect the situation faced by farmers and agricultural workers.
According to CPM state secretary V. Srinivasa Rao, the state government has identified 388 mandals as drought-affected. Of these, 283 have been classified as severely drought-affected and 105 as moderately drought-affected. The CPM says the number should be expanded to cover 544 mandals.
The demand comes amid concerns about inadequate rainfall during the kharif season and the resulting pressure on agriculture and rural livelihoods.
What is the CPM demanding?
The CPM has asked the state government to recognize the additional drought-affected mandals and has also called for the drought situation to be treated as a national disaster so that Andhra Pradesh can seek greater assistance from the Centre.
The party has argued that the existing assessment does not fully capture the difficulties experienced in several parts of the state. It has specifically pointed to areas in North Andhra, Rayalaseema, Prakasam and Palnadu, as well as western mandals of Guntur, Bapatla, NTR, Krishna and Nellore districts and some tail-end areas of delta regions.
This distinction between 388 officially declared drought mandals and the 544 sought by the CPM is at the centre of the current political debate.
Importantly, the demand for 544 mandals is the CPM's position; it should not be treated as a new government declaration.
Why drought classification matters to farmers
Drought classification is not simply a description of weather conditions. For rural communities, official recognition can influence the government's response to agricultural losses and livelihood difficulties.
When rainfall is insufficient, farmers can face problems at several stages. Delayed or inadequate rainfall can affect sowing decisions, while prolonged dry conditions can damage standing crops. Farmers who have already spent money on seeds, fertilizers, labour and other inputs can therefore face losses even when the crop ultimately fails.
The impact can also extend beyond landowners. Agricultural labourers depend heavily on farm activity for employment and income. If fewer crops are planted or harvested, the demand for agricultural labour can decline.
The CPM has raised these concerns, saying that some agricultural land has remained uncultivated because of insufficient rainfall and that farmers and farm workers are experiencing financial and employment difficulties.
Regions facing particular concern
The drought debate covers a geographically diverse set of areas.
The CPM has highlighted parts of Rayalaseema and North Andhra, traditionally important regions in discussions about water availability and rainfall variability. It has also raised concerns about parts of Prakasam, Palnadu and several districts in coastal Andhra.
The reference to tail-end delta areas is significant because access to irrigation can vary even within regions that are generally associated with agricultural water infrastructure. Farmers located farther from dependable water sources can be more vulnerable when rainfall is inadequate.
However, the actual severity of drought can differ from one mandal to another. That makes objective assessment important rather than relying only on broad regional descriptions.
El Niño and rainfall concerns
The CPM has linked the difficult kharif conditions to the influence of El Niño, while arguing that rainfall concerns should have received earlier attention.
El Niño refers to a periodic warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that can influence global weather patterns. Its effects on India's monsoon can vary, however, and drought conditions cannot automatically be attributed to El Niño alone.
For Andhra Pradesh, the more immediate issue for farmers is the actual availability and distribution of rainfall during the agricultural season. The timing of rainfall can be just as important as the overall seasonal total because sowing and crop growth depend on water arriving at critical stages.
The role of drought assessment rules
Another issue raised by the CPM is the framework used to determine whether an area qualifies for drought status.
Srinivasa Rao has called for changes to the Drought Manual-2016, arguing that the assessment framework should be updated to reflect present circumstances.
Such assessment systems are important because drought declarations need measurable criteria. Rainfall deficiency is one factor, but agricultural conditions, water availability and the effect on livelihoods can also be relevant when authorities assess the seriousness of a drought situation.
The debate therefore involves not only how many mandals should be declared drought-hit, but also how drought itself should be measured.
What could happen if more areas receive drought recognition?
If additional mandals are officially classified as drought-affected, attention is likely to shift toward immediate relief and agricultural support.
The CPM has called for measures covering farmers, agricultural workers, drinking water and rural livelihoods. It has also demanded special assistance from the Centre.
For affected households, the most important question is ultimately what practical support follows recognition. A drought declaration by itself does not restore a failed crop or replace lost income. Its significance depends on the relief, financial assistance, water-management measures and livelihood support that governments subsequently implement.
What happens next?
The immediate issue is whether the state government will reconsider the number of drought-affected mandals in response to the concerns raised by the CPM and other stakeholders.
The government has currently identified 388 drought-affected mandals, while the CPM is seeking recognition for 544.
The difference highlights the need for transparent, evidence-based assessment of rainfall, agricultural conditions and water availability across the state.
For farmers, the debate is ultimately less about the number itself and more about whether the drought assessment accurately reflects conditions on the ground and whether affected communities receive timely assistance. As the kharif season progresses, rainfall patterns, crop conditions and government relief measures will remain important indicators of how seriously the situation develops.
