The Andhra Pradesh government has rolled out a comprehensive action plan to reduce the impact of the expected El Niño conditions, focusing on protecting farmers, securing drinking water, safeguarding livestock, ensuring uninterrupted power supply and strengthening irrigation infrastructure.
Anticipating a challenging agricultural season, the state has adopted a multi-pronged strategy aimed at minimizing hardships for both rural and urban communities. The government’s preparedness began as early as February 2026, soon after the Centre issued warnings about the possible impact of El Niño. Since then, regular review meetings have been held with officials and agricultural experts to formulate district-wise drought mitigation and crisis management plans for the 2026 Kharif season. Farmers have also been encouraged to shift from water-intensive crops to crops that require less water.
As part of the initiative, the government launched the ‘Raithanna Meekosam – El Niño Mitigation Plan – Kharif 2026’ across the state on August 7, 2026. The programme is built around five key focus areas: Raithanna Meekosam Action Committees, expansion of crop insurance coverage, promotion of fodder cultivation in high-risk areas, implementation of Jaladhara-2 works and reducing farmers’ difficulties to the minimum possible level. Despite concerns over rainfall, Kharif cultivation has been taken up in nearly 20.35 lakh hectares.
The government’s alternative crop strategy has also resulted in a significant rise in pulse cultivation. The area under pulses increased from 2.16 lakh hectares last year to 2.66 lakh hectares this year, registering a 23.6 percent growth, reflecting the success of the crop diversification plan. Crop insurance has emerged as another major pillar of the government’s strategy.
Insurance applications increased by 108 percent, rising from 19.5 lakh farmers in Kharif 2025 to 35.1 lakh farmers in Kharif 2026. The insured crop area also expanded from 7.83 lakh hectares to 15.1 lakh hectares. Officials are creating awareness to ensure that every cultivated acre is covered under crop insurance, providing financial protection against drought, natural disasters and other unforeseen losses.
To address drinking water needs, the government has prepared detailed plans to conserve water in major reservoirs, including Velugodu, Gorakallu, Avuku, Jeedipalli and Cherlopalli. Water allocations from Nagarjuna Sagar canals have been planned to meet drinking water requirements across several districts. Authorities have also identified vulnerable areas, arranged alternative water supply systems and kept water tankers ready wherever necessary.
Special measures have also been taken to prevent fodder shortages. The government is promoting fodder seed cultivation in drought-prone regions, ensuring the availability of feed and drinking water for livestock while preparing cattle shelters wherever required. These steps are expected to support the dairy sector, which provides livelihoods to thousands of rural families. In the power sector, the government has taken precautionary measures to handle the increase in electricity demand caused by rising temperatures.
Daily power consumption has reached 280 to 290 million units, and officials say adequate arrangements have been made to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply without causing inconvenience to consumers. Water conservation remains another key priority. Under the Jaladhara–Jalaharathi programme, the government identified 82,865 works, of which 79,826 have already been completed. Projects worth ₹3,409.35 crore have been taken up, including restoration of tanks, feeder channels, farm ponds and trench excavation works to improve water storage and groundwater recharge.
The government is also focusing on efficient water management by prioritising drinking water first, followed by irrigation needs, while ensuring industries receive essential water supplies wherever possible. Public awareness campaigns are being conducted to promote responsible water usage, and long-neglected canals and tanks are being restored to improve water availability. To prevent inflation in essential commodities during the drought season, a ministerial committee is continuously monitoring market prices.
Onions are being sold through Rythu Bazaars at ₹32 per kg, quality rice is being supplied at ₹52 per kg, and subsidised red gram dal and palm oil are being made available through fair price shops. The irrigation department has also accelerated key water projects. This season, 39.5 TMC of Godavari water has been diverted through the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme to protect Krishna Delta agriculture. Water from the Srisailam Reservoir is being managed carefully to meet Rayalaseema’s requirements, while projects such as Veligonda, Polavaram Left Main Canal and Handri Neeva have been fast-tracked.
The state has also released an irrigation calendar to complete 36 priority projects worth ₹35,555 crore over the next three years, which are expected to provide irrigation to 19.16 lakh acres of new ayacut and stabilise irrigation for over 9 lakh acres. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is personally reviewing the El Niño preparedness every week. Ministers, district collectors and officials are monitoring field-level implementation, while agriculture university students are assisting farmers with weather advisories, crop guidance and field observations.
The government is also promoting micro-irrigation and strengthening water management at the grassroots level to help farmers cope with changing climatic conditions. With advance planning, coordinated execution and a strong focus on agriculture, water conservation and rural livelihoods, Andhra Pradesh is aiming to minimise the impact of El Niño and ensure that farmers and citizens face the least possible disruption during the coming season.
Source - https://www.telugubulletin.com
