Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Face Severe Drought After Poor Southwest Monsoon

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are facing widespread drought conditions following a major shortfall in the southwest monsoon rains. Karnataka suffered a rainfall deficit close to 35 percent between June and September, leading the government to declare 217 out of 240 taluks as drought-hit. This has caused extensive damage to crops like red gram, maize, cotton, and sugarcane.

State Relief and Demands

Andhra Pradesh recorded a rainfall shortfall of 53 percent from June to August, leaving 388 of 688 mandals declared drought-hit with horticulture crops over nearly 18,000 hectares at risk. Karnataka has asked the Centre for 11,000 crore rupees from the National Disaster Response Fund along with higher input subsidies. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh has set aside 190 crore rupees to protect horticulture crops and ordered drinking water conservation measures.

Climate Factors

This year's summer monsoon had its poorest showing since 2015, driven by warnings of a strengthening El Niño effect. The national drought framework uses agricultural indicators, hydrological data, and ground studies before distressed states can access extra financial support from the NDRF. While the Manual for Drought Management has tightened these processes since 2009, past disputes have occurred over releasing relief funds promptly.

Context

Southwest monsoon failures directly threaten agricultural livelihoods across southern India, where many farming communities depend heavily on seasonal rains for crop survival. State and national disaster frameworks rely on structured ground assessments to distribute financial relief fairly during prolonged dry spells.