Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy to assess drought conditions with party leaders

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy is set to hold a high‑level review of the ongoing drought with senior members of the YSR Congress Party, the state’s ruling outfit. The meeting, scheduled for later this week, aims to gauge the severity of water scarcity across districts and to coordinate immediate relief measures, The Hindu reported.

According to the newspaper, the review will bring together ministers overseeing agriculture, water resources and rural development, along with local party representatives from the hardest‑hit areas. Participants are expected to present on‑ground data on crop stress, groundwater depletion and the status of ongoing irrigation projects. The chief minister is likely to use the forum to prioritize funding for emergency pump sets, borewell repairs and short‑term cash assistance for smallholder farmers.

The Hindu noted that the state’s monsoon performance this year fell well below the long‑term average, leaving large swathes of the coastal and Rayalaseema regions in acute distress. Crop yields of staples such as paddy and millets have already dipped, prompting concerns over food security and farmer indebtedness. With the next planting season approaching, officials fear that delayed rains could exacerbate the crisis.

Droughts have become a recurring challenge for Andhra Pradesh, which straddles the Krishna and Godavari river basins. Over the past decade, erratic rainfall patterns, coupled with over‑extraction of groundwater, have strained the state's water management infrastructure. The government has previously launched large‑scale initiatives like the Jalayagnam and Mission Kakatiya projects to augment storage and recharge capacities, but gaps remain, especially in remote districts.

Experts suggest that a coordinated review such as the one planned by Jagan could accelerate the rollout of long‑term solutions, including micro‑irrigation, rainwater harvesting and the revival of traditional water bodies. If successful, the effort may set a precedent for other Indian states grappling with climate‑induced water stress.

The outcome of the meeting is expected to be communicated to the public within days, outlining both short‑term relief packages and a roadmap for sustainable water management in the coming years.