Anantapur Farmers Intensify Drought Protest, Seek Government Relief

CPI state secretary Gujjala Eshwaraiah has demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government declare Anantapur district a drought-hit area and immediately extend relief to farmers struggling with severe rainfall deficiency. He made the demand at the conclusion of a three-day drought protest organised by the CPI in Anantapur Rural mandal.

The protest, which began on September 21 under the leadership of CPI Rural mandal secretary Naresh, concluded on Wednesday with leaders from the CPI, YSRCP, Congress and CPI(ML) participating in the programme. Eshwaraiah said drought conditions were prevailing across much of the state, with 27 of 28 districts facing drought-like conditions and 18 experiencing severe distress. He said inadequate rainfall had left farmers unable to cultivate their crops.

Eshwaraiah said Anantapur normally receives around 510 mm of rainfall between June and August, but the district recorded only 218 mm this season, resulting in a 54 per cent deficit. The shortage has affected crops including paddy, groundnut, sweet orange, pomegranate, red gram and green gram.

He said the issue had been brought to the attention of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad. Eshwaraiah said the government should not use El Niño as the sole explanation for the drought, arguing that Rayalaseema had faced recurring rainfall shortages for years. He called for better utilisation of Srisailam reservoir water and expansion of irrigation infrastructure, including the Handri-Neeva project, to improve water storage and distribution.

Former MLA and YSRCP Rapthadu constituency coordinator Thopudurthi Prakash Reddy called for political parties, farmers’ organisations and public groups to work together beyond political, caste and religious differences to address the crisis.

He raised concerns over concrete lining of the Handri-Neeva canal, saying canal seepage contributes to groundwater recharge and supports borewells in surrounding areas. He said the release of water into Penna Ahobilam Balancing Reservoir had previously helped improve groundwater levels in hundreds of villages. With water availability declining, borewells are drying up and crops such as sweet orange and tomato are being affected.

CPI state executive member Jagdish demanded immediate relief across all drought-affected mandals and announced special party meetings in Kadapa from September 28 to 30. CPI national general secretary D. Raja is expected to attend. The party plans to press both governments for drought relief funds and continued support for farmers.