Hyderabad, Oct 2026: The Telangana government has declared 365 mandals across 31 districts as drought-affected for the Kharif 2026 season following deficient rainfall during the South West Monsoon, with emerging El Niño conditions contributing to prolonged dry spells and growing agricultural distress.
The Revenue Disaster Management Department issued a government order on Tuesday, classifying 111 mandals as severely drought-affected and 254 as moderately drought-affected. The decision followed recommendations by the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to examine the impact of El Niño and drought conditions in the state at a review meeting held on October 23.
The government said the declaration was based on a multi-criteria scientific assessment conducted in accordance with the National Manual for Drought Management, 2016. Various Secretariat departments, heads of departments and district Collectors and Magistrates had been asked to submit detailed information and proposals for identifying drought-affected mandals.
According to the assessment, Telangana received 615.5 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 30, against the normal 740.6 mm. This represents a rainfall deficit of 17 per cent during the South West Monsoon 2026, with 18 of the state's 33 districts recording deficient rainfall.
The government attributed the adverse monsoon conditions to strengthening El Niño conditions, weak low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal and extended dry spells. These factors have affected crop sowing and growth, reducing the total Kharif cultivated area from 139.28 lakh acres to 126.06 lakh acres.
Paddy cultivation has been particularly affected, with the area under the crop declining by 18 per cent from 69.19 lakh acres to 57 lakh acres. The reduction has raised concerns over farm incomes, agricultural output and the availability of water for the coming months.
Water storage levels have added to the state's concerns. The current live storage in major and medium reservoirs stands at 179.63 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), against their combined capacity of 585 TMC. The government said the situation poses risks to drinking water supplies, agriculture, livestock and power generation.
The order noted that drought notification for the Kharif season must be issued by October 30 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the Manual for Drought Management. It cited persistent rainfall deficits, dry spells during critical crop-growth stages and deteriorating soil moisture as key reasons for declaring the affected mandals drought-hit.
Assembly seeks central assistance
The Telangana Legislative Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution on September 18, urging the Central government to send a team to assess the drought situation and provide financial and other assistance to affected farmers and communities.
The resolution sought assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), release of the Centre's share under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), crop-loss compensation and input subsidies. It also called for support to ensure drinking water availability, fodder supplies, groundwater recharge and restoration of water bodies.
Among its other demands were 50 additional days of employment under VB-G RAM G, with the Centre bearing the entire cost, additional fertiliser supplies and 1,500 MW of extra power. The Assembly also sought a special drought-relief package of Rs 20,000 crore, an increase in the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) borrowing limit from 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product for 2026-27, and additional assistance under Central and Centrally Sponsored Schemes with relaxed norms.
Relief measures for affected farmers
Following the drought declaration, district authorities have been directed to initiate relief measures, including the provision of agricultural input subsidies through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), augmentation of drinking water supplies, fodder arrangements and cattle camps wherever necessary. Employment generation under VB-G RAM G has also been prioritised.
District Collectors have been asked to approach the State Level Bankers' Committee to facilitate restructuring of agricultural loans and prevent coercive recovery measures, wherever permissible under Reserve Bank of India guidelines.
The Agriculture and Cooperation Department has been directed to ensure that input subsidies reach eligible farmers through DBT within one month of receiving Central assistance from the NDRF. Lists of beneficiaries must be published on the websites of the respective district Collectors and the state government.
The Planning Department has been instructed to prepare a memorandum for submission to the Revenue Disaster Management Department within seven days. The memorandum will subsequently be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and the Ministry of Home Affairs, seeking financial assistance from the NDRF.
The drought declaration is intended to enable coordinated relief efforts as Telangana faces mounting pressure on agriculture, rural livelihoods and water resources following a deficient monsoon.
