Telangana declares 365 drought-affected mandals, of which 111 are severely drought-affected

The parched Manjeera project in Sangareddy district on Tuesday (October 27, 2026). | Photo credit: MOHD ARIF

The Telangana government has declared 365 mandals in 31 districts drought-affected for the 2026 kharif season following deficient rainfall and prolonged dry spells during the southwest monsoon.

The GO issued for the purpose classifies 111 mandals as severely drought-affected and 254 as moderately drought-affected. It will remain valid for six months.

17% precipitation deficit

According to the government order, between June 1 and September 30, Telangana received a cumulative rainfall of 615.5 mm against the normal of 740.6 mm, a deficit of 17%. The shortfall was attributed to the impact of emerging and strengthening El Niño conditions, weak low pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and prolonged dry spells.

The area under Kharif crops in Telangana fell by 13.22 lakh acres

The drought assessment found that the kharif crop area in 18 of the state’s 33 districts has been affected. The area under paddy decreased by 18%, from 69.19 lakh acres to 57 lakh acres, while the total area under the kharif crop fell from 139.28 lakh acres to 126.06 lakh acres.

179.63 TMC in Telangana reservoirs against the capacity of 585 TMC

The order also noted that live stocks in large and medium irrigation reservoirs stood at 179.63 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), against a capacity of 585 TMC, raising concerns about availability of drinking water, agriculture, livestock and power supply.

The government said the declaration followed a scientific assessment based on rainfall data, records of dry spells, lack of sown area, vegetation status, soil moisture and groundwater indicators. Ground sampling and field verification were also taken into account.

District Collectors have been instructed to immediately initiate relief measures. These include subsidizing agricultural inputs through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), extension of drinking water supply, feeding arrangements, cattle camps wherever necessary and job creation under the Employment Guarantee Scheme.

The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation has been instructed to ensure that input subsidies reach the eligible affected farmers through DBT within one month of receipt of central assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). The lists of beneficiaries will be published on the websites of the respective District Collectors and the State Government.

The order also directs officials to seek central assistance under the NDRF and submit prescribed assessment details and village-level data for severely drought-affected mandals within seven days.

District Collectors along with officials of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Civil Supplies Departments have been asked to maintain beneficiary registers, monitor relief expenditure and submit progress reports to the Revenue (Disaster Management) Department.

The government order follows a Cabinet subcommittee review on the impact of El Niño and drought conditions on 23 October. It also refers to a resolution passed by the Telangana legislature on September 18 urging the Center to provide drought relief and additional support to the state.

Nalgonda and Sangareddy are worst affected with 28 mandals followed by Suryapet (23), Adilabad and Vikarabad (20 each), Rangareddy and Nizamabad (18 each). The combined district of Nalgonda is the worst affected with 68 mandals declared drought-affected.

Published – 27 Oct 2026 21:43 IST