Rain Deficit Hits 11 Telangana Mandals As Waddepalle Sees 73% Drop
A severe rainfall deficit between June 1 and September 1 has left agricultural fields parched across Telangana, with Waddepalle in Jogulamba Gadwal and Kethepalle in Nalgonda recording drops of 73 percent and 71 percent below normal rainfall. Nine other mandals in the state have also registered rainfall deficits of 60 percent or higher during the same period, causing seeds to fail to germinate and placing cotton and paddy crops under mounting stress.
In Kethepalle, where farmers predominantly cultivate cotton alongside some paddy, only 124.9 mm of rain was recorded compared to the normal 431.5 mm between June 1 and September 1. Irrigation facilities, including areas situated at the tail-end of the Musi river, have offered some cushion to local growers. Officials stated that Kethepalle has not reached a drought-like situation yet, citing previous seasons' yields, but warned that prolonged dry spells could turn critical. To assist rain-dependent farmers, the government distributed free seeds under the Centre's Kapas Kranti Mission and plans to collect village-by-village feedback to track crop conditions.
In Waddepalle, farmers are facing mounting financial losses as sown seeds have withered in dry soil. Several growers reported sowing chilli and cotton three to four times in anticipation of rain. Drip irrigation systems, typically utilized to boost yields and save water, are being deployed merely to germinate seeds and keep standing plants alive. Farmers noted that repeated sowing, seed purchases, and irrigation operations have added ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per acre to their cultivation expenses, placing heavy strain on tenant farmers.
Similar dry conditions have persisted for weeks across neighbouring localities, including Manopad, Itikyala, and Alampur. Beyond Waddepalle and Kethepalle, severe deficiencies were logged in Atmakur in Hanamkonda at 64 percent, and Atmakur in Wanaparthy at 63 percent.
Deficits of 61 percent were recorded in Palakurthi and Raghunathpalli in Jangaon, Peddakothapalle in Nagarkurnool, and Yerrupalem in Khammam. Palakeedu in Suryapet, Narsampet in Warangal, and Yerravalli in Jogulamba Gadwal each recorded a 60 percent drop in seasonal rains.
