Archive · 1 Sep 2026
El Nino Raises Drought Risk in Andhra Pradesh, Minister Warns
El Nino may cause less water to be available in Andhra Pradesh.
A minister warned that the area could face a serious drought.
Several important rivers are receiving less water, and reservoirs are drying up.
People may have less water for drinking and farming.
Underground water levels have already dropped by about three metres.
The minister asked everyone to use water carefully.
He also told farmers not to sell all their rice immediately.
Farmers should save enough grain for their families until June or July next year.
Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy warned that El Nino could bring severe drought conditions to Andhra Pradesh.
Inflows into the Godavari, Krishna and Penna rivers have declined, causing reservoirs to dry up.
Water scarcity could become acute over the next six months, affecting farms and drinking-water supplies.
Groundwater levels have fallen by about three metres and may decline further.
Farmers were urged to conserve water and store enough harvested paddy to meet their needs until June-July next year.
- Who
- Endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, farmers and the public.
- What
- A warning was issued about possible severe drought, water shortages and food-grain insecurity.
- When
- The warning was issued on Tuesday, with shortages potentially worsening over the next six months.
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, including the Atmakur segment and the Godavari, Krishna and Penna river regions.
- Why
- Possible El Nino effects, declining river inflows, drying reservoirs and falling groundwater levels are increasing the risk of scarcity.
- Potential cause
- Possible impact of El Nino
- Affected region
- Andhra Pradesh
- River inflows
- Godavari, Krishna and Penna river inflows have declined
- Groundwater change
- Levels have fallen by around three metres
- Risk period
- The next six months
- Food advice
- Farmers should store sufficient harvested paddy until June-July next year
- Resources urged for conservation
- Water and food grains