Scanty rainfall in most districts,Andhra may declare drought

In the last one week,Prakasam and Kadapa did not receive any rain while the rest of 21 districts reported between 1 mm to 9 mm rainfall.

Large cities like Hyderabad and Vijayawada are already facing drinking water scarcity. In Hyderabad,the demand for water tankers has increased so much since first week of July that rates have been increased from Rs 350 per tanker to Rs 750.

What is worrying the state government is that several districts that normally receive sufficient rainfall every year are facing scarcity. With 64 per cent less than normal rainfall,the bountiful Krishna district is facing a water scarcity situation for the first time in over a decade. Similarly,Guntur with 75 per cent less rainfall,East and West Godavari with 40 per cent less rainfall and the Telangana region receiving 50 per cent less rainfall have forced the government to think of a contingency drought plan and also declare the state drought-hit.

On Monday,Finance Minister K Rosaiah said that the government is chalking out a plan to deal with the situation. “Andhra receives rains till September first week. We have to wait and see till then,” he said.