Amaravati — YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy held a video conference with party coordinators and district presidents on Thursday, September 17, reviewing drought conditions, crop losses, and water scarcity across Andhra Pradesh.
He said the state has recorded a rainfall deficit of more than 51% since the start of the Kharif season, with 628 of 688 mandals facing drought-like conditions and 332 mandals severely hit.
Jagan argued this was "not merely a natural drought" but one worsened by the government's delayed response — noting that CM Naidu had been warned about El Niño effects as early as February 4 but took no follow-up action despite continuous rainfall deficits through June, July, and August.
He criticized the government for failing to declare drought-hit mandals, arrange alternative seeds, supply fodder, or seek additional workdays under the rural employment guarantee scheme.
Jagan directed party leaders to visit affected areas, meet farmers, and submit district-specific relief demands, and said he would personally tour the worst-hit regions based on severity.
