It is all over barring an acknowledgement. Agriculture department officials told TOI that AP is staring at a drought and all it needs is only an official declaration. A drought is declared when the monsoon fails or is deficient. CM Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has convened a high-level meeting on Saturday to take stock. “Logically, drought should be declared, but it isn’t clear whether the government will accept it,” said one official.
As per official figures recorded till July 30, there’s a deficit of 49% in total rainfall. Region-wise, Telangana recorded a deficit of 54%, Rayalaseema 46% and Andhra 36%.Out of the 23 districts, only three districts, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam received ‘normal’ rainfall. Six districts, Krishna, Guntur, Hyderabad, Medak, Warangal and Nalgonda received ‘scanty’ rainfall while it was ‘deficit’ in the remaining 14.
The rainfall is described as ‘normal’ when it is plus 19% to minus 19%, ‘deficit’ between minus 20% to minus 59% and ‘scanty’ when it is minus 60% to minus 99%. As per the Union agriculture department, “Drought connotes a situation of water shortage for human, cattle and agriculture, resulting in economic losses primarily in agriculture sector.” According to the agriculture officials, although the southwest monsoon occurs between June 1 and September 30, any rain after July will not really benefit the agriculture sector.
“Any rain from now on till September will not greatly alter the crops’ situation with regard to foodgrains,” said one official. In fact, the state can benefit by declaring drought as it can be eligible for central funds. Saturday’s meeting will be attended by officials of the agriculture, horticulture, power, revenue, municipal administration and urban development, animal husbandry and rural development departments.
State officials said the best course available for the state would be to immediately declare a drought, take central aid and advise farmers to go for alternative crops as advised by various central agricultural agencies. If the state declares a drought, it will be the first time under Rajasekhara Reddy that it will happen so.
As per official figures recorded till July 30, there’s a deficit of 49% in total rainfall. Region-wise, Telangana recorded a deficit of 54%, Rayalaseema 46% and Andhra 36%.Out of the 23 districts, only three districts, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam received ‘normal’ rainfall. Six districts, Krishna, Guntur, Hyderabad, Medak, Warangal and Nalgonda received ‘scanty’ rainfall while it was ‘deficit’ in the remaining 14.
The rainfall is described as ‘normal’ when it is plus 19% to minus 19%, ‘deficit’ between minus 20% to minus 59% and ‘scanty’ when it is minus 60% to minus 99%. As per the Union agriculture department, “Drought connotes a situation of water shortage for human, cattle and agriculture, resulting in economic losses primarily in agriculture sector.” According to the agriculture officials, although the southwest monsoon occurs between June 1 and September 30, any rain after July will not really benefit the agriculture sector.
“Any rain from now on till September will not greatly alter the crops’ situation with regard to foodgrains,” said one official. In fact, the state can benefit by declaring drought as it can be eligible for central funds. Saturday’s meeting will be attended by officials of the agriculture, horticulture, power, revenue, municipal administration and urban development, animal husbandry and rural development departments.
State officials said the best course available for the state would be to immediately declare a drought, take central aid and advise farmers to go for alternative crops as advised by various central agricultural agencies. If the state declares a drought, it will be the first time under Rajasekhara Reddy that it will happen so.
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