Drought persists in Anantapur dist

63 mandals suffer continuous drought, causing irrigation struggles and water crisis

- CP VENUGOPAL @ Anantapur

THE drought-prone Anantapur district continues to grapple with severe water scarcity, with seven of the past 10 years marked by drought conditions.

A review of rainfall patterns from 2013-14 to 2024-25 shows that only the last three years offered some relief with adequate rainfall, while the remaining seven maintained the region's grim outlook. Anantapur, which has 63 mandals, has endured persistent drought-like conditions, leaving farmers struggling to irrigate their fields and facing an acute drinking water crisis.

Farmers' association leaders have criticised the government for limiting its response to merely declaring drought-hit mandals without implementing effective long-term solutions.