Compiled from reports by The News Minute and Telangana Today. See the original articles linked below.
The Telangana government has declared 365 mandals spread over 31 districts drought-affected for the 2026 kharif season, according to The News Minute and Telangana Today. Both outlets report that the notification remains in force for six months. The News Minute adds that it can be withdrawn earlier.
Severity and affected areas
The News Minute reported that 111 of the mandals fall in the severely affected category, while 254 are moderately affected. Telangana Today said the State Drought Monitoring Cell will keep observing the remaining mandals, and that some of them could be added later through a supplementary notification.
The News Minute listed Nalgonda and Sangareddy as having the largest number of drought-hit mandals, 28 each. It named Suryapet, Adilabad, Vikarabad, Rangareddy, Nizamabad, Yadadri and Khammam as the districts that follow.
Rainfall and crops
Both outlets cite rainfall of 615.5 mm between June 1 and September 30, against a normal of 740.6 mm, which they describe as a 17% deficit. The News Minute links the shortfall to El Niño. Telangana Today said the government pointed to El Niño conditions, weak low-pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and long dry spells during the southwest monsoon.
According to Telangana Today, the area under Vanakalam crops fell from 139.28 lakh acres to 126.06 lakh acres, with a decline recorded in 18 of the state's 33 districts. It reported that paddy cultivation dropped 18 per cent, from 69.19 lakh acres to 57 lakh acres. The News Minute gave the same overall figures for cropped area and the same 18 per cent fall in paddy.
Both outlets also reported on reservoir levels. Live storage stood at 179.63 TMC against a combined capacity of 585 TMC, The News Minute said. Telangana Today wrote that this level raises concerns about drinking water, agriculture, livestock and power.
Relief measures
The News Minute listed the planned measures as drinking water supply, fodder, cattle camps, agricultural input subsidies through direct benefit transfer, restructuring of loans through the State Level Bankers' Committee, and employment under the VB-G RAM G scheme.
Request to the Centre
Both outlets refer to a resolution passed by the State Assembly on September 18 seeking help from the Union government. The News Minute reported that the resolution was unanimous and asked for a relief package of Rs 20,000 crore and a higher borrowing limit under the FRBM Act. It added that the state will seek assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund through the Union ministries of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and of Home Affairs.
Telangana Today said the resolution asked the Centre to send an assessment team and provide NDRF aid, the Centre's share of the State Disaster Response Fund, and support for crop losses. It said the resolution also sought 50 additional employment days under VB-G RAM G, extra fertiliser, 1,500 MW of additional power, and an increase in the FRBM borrowing limit from 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent of GSDP for 2026-27.
Differences in reporting
The outlets differ on when the order was issued. Telangana Today said it was issued on a Saturday. The News Minute's report was published on October 28, and Telangana Today's on the night of October 27.
Sources
- El Niño effect: Telangana declares 365 mandals drought-hit amid 17% rainfall deficit (The News Minute, 2026-10-28)
- Telangana declares 365 mandals drought-affected for Vanakalam 2026 (Telangana Today, 2026-10-27)
This article was compiled with AI assistance from the reports listed above and reviewed by GMA before publishing.