Archive · 2 Aug 2026
Andhra Pradesh Faces 38% Rainfall Deficit, 43% Sowing Done
In Andhra Pradesh, the rainy season has been weaker than usual.
By the end of July, the state had only 38% of the expected rain, which is a big shortfall.
Because of this, farmers could only plant 43% of the crops they normally plant in the Kharif season.
The biggest problems were in districts like Annamayya and West Godavari, where the rain was 66% and 54% below normal.
Even the main crops, paddy and maize, were planted less than last year.
The Indian Meteorological Department said the rain was normal along the coast but weak in the Rayalaseema region.
This uneven rain is caused by a weather pattern called El‑Nino, which makes the monsoon less reliable.
Andhra Pradesh recorded a 38% rainfall deficit by July 31, up from 3% in June.
Only 43% of the Kharif season’s normal sowing area (13.32 lakh hectares) had been sown by July 29.
The deficit was most severe in Annamayya district (66%) and West Godavari (54%).
Paddy and maize sowing fell short of last year’s levels by 0.37 and 0.20 lakh hectares respectively.
The Indian Meteorological Department noted the southwest monsoon was normal over coastal Andhra Pradesh and weak over Rayalaseema.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh state authorities and farmers
- What
- A 38% deficit in rainfall and only 43% of the Kharif sowing area completed
- When
- By the end of July 2026, after half of the southwest monsoon period
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, India
- Why
- Weak and uneven rainfall distribution linked to El‑Nino conditions
- Rainfall Deficit
- 38%
- Sowing Completed
- 43%
- Sowing Area
- 13.32 lakh hectares
- Seasonal Normal Sowing Area
- 30.84 lakh hectares
- IMD Monsoon Status
- Normal over coastal, weak over Rayalaseema