Chittoor and Annamayya farmers face moisture deficit after cyclones
Despite two recent cyclones hitting the Andhra coast, interior districts report significant rainfall shortfalls and declining groundwater levels.
Farmers in the Chittoor and Annamayya districts of Andhra Pradesh are facing acute water shortages and rising debt despite two recent cyclones hitting the coastline, according to The Hindu.
In Annamayya district, rainfall between June 1 and November 3 reached 288.5 mm, which is 47.5 per cent less than the normal 549.1 mm recorded for that period.
The district saw only 36 per cent of its usual kharif sowing area, making it the worst-affected district in the state. Groundnut and redgram make up nearly 75 per cent of the total cropped area in the region.
Chittoor district reported 431.8 mm of rain, representing a 32.2 per cent shortfall compared to the expected 637.3 mm. While Cyclone Arnab provided some rain to parts of Chittoor in October, Cyclone Murasu primarily impacted coastal belts.
A senior scientist at YSR Horticulture University campus in Tirupati district noted that the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has flagged a strong to very strong El Niño lasting through January-March 2027.
The scientist said such conditions create unpredictable challenges for agrarian planning. Farmers are requesting administrative intervention, including groundwater monitoring, drinking water frameworks, and faster crop insurance payouts.