Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Andhra Pradesh Orders Arrests Over Drinking Water Misuse
Andhra Pradesh is preparing for drought after receiving less rain than usual.
The government says 388 mandals in 21 districts are drought-affected.
Officials must check how much damage crops have suffered and help farmers with seeds and other crops.
They were also told to protect drinking water and stop it from being taken for fish and shrimp ponds.
People who steal scarce drinking water are to be arrested.
Water may be delivered by tankers, and broken borewells and leaking pipes should be fixed.
The meeting also covered preparations for health services and other government work.
Another official said 514 mandals had been affected by El Niño, and tanker proposals were ready for places facing severe shortages.
Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad directed district collectors to prepare for drought and protect drinking water supplies.
The state recorded a 38.9% rainfall deficit as of October 8, and 388 mandals in 21 districts were declared drought-affected.
Collectors were told to finish crop-loss assessments by October 17, distribute seeds, and promote alternative crops and natural farming.
Officials were ordered to prevent drinking water from being diverted to fish and shrimp ponds and arrest people stealing scarce water.
The meeting also covered tanker supplies, water-system repairs, Sanjeevani health-service preparations, housing construction, and land resurvey.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad directed district collectors; other officials at the meeting included Kantilal Dande and S. Suresh Kumar.
- What
- Collectors were ordered to prepare for drought, safeguard drinking water, assess crop losses, and advance several government programmes.
- When
- At a review meeting on Friday; the rainfall deficit was reported as of October 8, with crop-loss assessments due by October 17.
- Where
- At the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat; the measures concern districts and urban local bodies across Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- To address El Niño-related drought conditions, a reported rainfall deficit, and the risk of hardship and water shortages.
- Rainfall deficit
- 38.9% as of October 8
- Declared drought-affected
- 388 mandals across 21 districts
- El Niño impact figure
- Kantilal Dande said 514 mandals had been affected
- Crop-loss assessment deadline
- October 17
- Water shortage response
- Tanker supplies and borewell repairs were directed where needed
- Urban summer plans
- Special summer action plans were prepared in 23 urban local bodies
- Water misuse enforcement
- Collectors were told to prevent diversion to fish and shrimp ponds and immediately arrest people stealing drinking water