In its orders issued on Tuesday, the state government has declared 231 mandals, nearly half of the total mandals in the state, as drought affected.
During the South West Monsoon period, the state has received an average rain fall of 610.8 mm as against a normal rainfall of 713.6 mm, with a deviation of -14 per cent. Several mandals spread over 7 districts have received deficit rainfall along with severe dry spells that have caused withering and drying up of crops, the government said.
In addition to seeking immediate financial assistance the state government requested the Centre to send a team of officials to assess the situation.