Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Telangana Examines Drought Declaration for 230 Rain-Deficit Mandals
Telangana has received less rain than usual in many places this monsoon.
The government is checking local conditions to decide which areas should be declared drought-hit.
About 230 of the state’s 621 mandals may be included.
Officials reported that 312 mandals already have significant rainfall shortages.
Waddepalle received only 136.5 millimetres of rain instead of its usual 435 millimetres.
The state’s overall rainfall shortage is 16 percent.
The government may announce its decision this week or next week.
Telangana last declared a drought in 2015.
Nearby Karnataka and Maharashtra have already declared drought in some areas.
Telangana is examining drought conditions across its 621 mandals, with about 230 potentially facing drought status.
The state’s development agency reported 312 mandals with rainfall deficits ranging from 20% to 59%.
Waddepalle mandal recorded the state’s largest deficit, receiving 136.5 millimetres against a normal 435 millimetres.
An official drought announcement could come this week or next week, according to sources.
A drought declaration would be Telangana’s second, after 231 mandals were declared drought-hit in November 2015.
- Who
- The Telangana government, supported by rainfall data from the Telangana Development and Planning Society, is assessing conditions.
- What
- Officials are examining whether about 230 mandals should be declared drought-affected.
- When
- The assessment is underway, with an announcement expected this week or the following week.
- Where
- Across Telangana, which has 621 mandals; Waddepalle in Jogulamba Gadwal district has the largest reported deficit.
- Why
- Severe and widespread rainfall deficits have created drought-like conditions after an El Nino-hit monsoon season.
Declare Drought Quickly
Complete Local Assessment First
Timing of declaration
Declare Drought Quickly
Earlier declarations could help drought-affected areas receive assistance; in 2015, opposition parties accused the then government of delaying the decision and losing crucial Central aid.
Complete Local Assessment First
The Telangana government is examining conditions at the local level before finalizing the list of affected mandals.
Scale of the drought
Declare Drought Quickly
Rainfall data show that 312 mandals have deficits of at least 20%, with some areas facing much larger shortages.
Complete Local Assessment First
The statewide average deficit is 16%, and 268 mandals remain in the normal rainfall category, so authorities are assessing conditions mandal by mandal.
- Potential drought-hit mandals
- About 230 of Telangana’s 621 mandals
- Mandals with deficient rainfall
- 312 mandals, with deficits of 20% to 59%
- Largest rainfall deficit
- Waddepalle mandal: 69% below normal
- Waddepalle rainfall
- 136.5 millimetres received versus 435 millimetres normal
- Statewide rainfall deficit
- 16% below average
- Previous Telangana drought declaration
- 231 mandals declared drought-hit in November 2015
- Nearby states with drought declarations
- Karnataka: 177 taluks; Maharashtra: 265 taluks