Khammam district sees severe drought in 17 mandals and fodder shortage in 12

Seventeen of Khammam district's twenty‑one mandals recorded rainfall roughly 20% below normal, with ten in severe drought and seven in moderate drought, District Collector Divakara T.S. reported on Friday. He said a detailed assessment has been sent to the state government. The preliminary assessments, compiled by the district's disaster cell, form the basis of the report. Groundwater levels have fallen from 2.5 m below ground during last year's monsoon to 3.56 m now. In Kamepalli, Yerrupalem, Sattupalli and Enkur mandals the decline reached five to ten metres, a result of scant rain linked to El Nino. Recent cyclone‑driven showers gave a slight rise, but the collector warned further depletion in the weeks ahead. He urged farmers to drop paddy in the upcoming Yasangi (rabi) season and switch to millets, pulses or other low‑water crops, noting that the limited water will be reserved for drinking. The administration has asked for water from the Nagarjunasagar Project to meet the district’s drinking needs in the coming months. Twelve mandals are also confronting fodder shortages; authorities plan to distribute fodder seeds as the gap is expected to widen over the next five months. ## Context The situation reflects a broader pattern of El Nino‑driven dryness affecting central India, where reduced rains strain both agriculture and drinking water supplies.