Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Naidu Warns of Severe El Nino Drought, Urges Water Conservation
The leader of a state in India called Andhra Pradesh told everyone that a weather pattern called El Nino might make the land very dry.
That means there may not be enough rain for farms, animals, and people.
He said the state expected a lot of rain but might get much less than normal.
The big water lakes, called reservoirs, are getting very low.
He asked people to save water and not waste a single drop.
Farmers are being told to grow crops that need less water to survive.
Drinking water is the most important, so it comes first.
The government has plans to build new water projects to help in the future.
Everyone needs to work together to be ready for the dry weather.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu warned the Andhra Pradesh assembly that El Nino could cause severe drought-like conditions and a water crisis.
The state expects 867mm of rainfall from June to December but may receive only 557mm, with a 68% deficit in some districts in July.
Major reservoirs are drying up: Srisailam received 214tmc against a normal 753tmc and Cotton Barrage 1,071tmc against an expected 2,557tmc.
Drinking water will get first priority, followed by industrial needs; farmers are advised to grow drought-resistant crops and avoid paddy in the Krishna basin.
The government plans 36 irrigation projects costing Rs 35,555 crore, to be completed by December 2028, covering 19.16 lakh acres of new ayacut.
- Who
- Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh
- What
- Warned that the state could face severe drought-like conditions and a water crisis due to El Nino, urging water conservation and changes in crop planning
- When
- Monday, during a discussion in the state assembly
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, India (assembly discussion reported from Vijayawada and Amaravati)
- Why
- Because the El Nino effect is expected to cause significant rainfall deficits, falling groundwater levels and drying reservoirs
- Expected rainfall (June-Dec)
- 867mm
- Likely rainfall
- 557mm
- July rainfall deficit (some districts)
- 68%
- Srisailam reservoir inflow
- 214tmc vs normal 753tmc
- Cotton Barrage inflow
- 1,071tmc vs expected 2,557tmc
- Irrigation projects planned
- 36 projects costing Rs 35,555 crore
- Project completion deadline
- December 2028
- Crop insurance coverage
- 15.17 lakh hectares; Rs 13,983 crore insured
