*YSRCP flags Statewide Drought Crisis*

Tadepalli, September 17: YSRCP district presidents and regional coordinators presented a grim district-wise picture of drought, crop losses, irrigation shortages, drinking water scarcity, fodder distress and fertilizer shortages during a video conference chaired by former Chief Minister and party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. The meeting reviewed conditions faced by farmers across Andhra Pradesh and discussed a statewide action plan to stand by the farming community. 

Leaders from Rayalaseema said deficient rainfall and poor water management had pushed agriculture into a severe crisis. Sathya Sai district president Ushasri Charan sought suspension of HNSS canal lining works, declaration of all mandals as drought-affected and immediate input subsidy. Anantapur district president Anantha Venkatarami Reddy said crops across nearly 5.80 lakh of the 5.90 lakh acres cultivated were facing severe stress, groundwater had fallen sharply and fodder prices had multiplied. Kadapa recorded a 52.9 per cent rainfall deficit, while leaders from Kurnool, Nandyal and Tirupati highlighted crop failures, migration, drinking water shortages and distress sale of cattle.

In Nellore, Kakani Govardhan Reddy said faulty irrigation management could cause nearly ₹1,500 crore loss to paddy farmers, while Prakasam district leaders demanded that the district be immediately declared drought-hit. Palnadu and Guntur leaders said large areas remained uncultivated because canal water was not released in time, while farmers who managed to sow crops were being forced to buy fertilizers at inflated black-market prices.

In the Krishna delta, Perni Nani said tens of thousands of acres were still without cultivation, particularly in Avanigadda, Koduru, Nagayalanka and Machilipatnam areas. Eluru, West Godavari, Konaseema and Kakinada leaders raised similar concerns over irrigation, aqua and tobacco farmers, fertilizer shortages and crop insurance.

North Andhra leaders reported severe rainfall deficits, drying reservoirs and fertilizer scarcity. Visakhapatnam district president K.K. Raju said the city required around 480 MLD of drinking water but was receiving only 380–390 MLD. Anakapalli reported a 44 per cent rainfall deficit, while leaders from Srikakulam and Vizianagaram said farmers were buying urea from Odisha at higher prices.

Regional coordinators Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, Y.V. Subba Reddy, Botsa Satyanarayana, Gudivada Amarnath and Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy called for a comprehensive region-wise action plan covering drought declaration, irrigation releases, crop-loss assessment, insurance, input subsidy, fodder, fertilizer availability and drinking water.

They urged YS Jagan to undertake visits to severely affected districts and lead a sustained campaign to force the government to respond immediately to the worsening agrarian distress.