The rainfall deficit is as high as 45 percent in the backward Telangana region while it is 46 percent in Rayalaseema. The deficit is 36 percent in Andhra region including north coastal region, which received normal rainfall.

YSR, as the chief minister is popularly known, has still not lost hopes that rains in the next two weeks would improve the situation in 20 districts.

After a meeting Saturday, Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao said that it was not proper to declare drought in haste.

There were hardly any rains in most parts of the state during last two months, badly affecting the sowing operations. The depleting levels in major reservoirs have also created drinking water scarcity in several towns.

The minister said 80 percent of 1,128 'mandals' (group of villages) received deficit or scanty rainfall till July 31. The chief minister has asked the disaster management department to release Rs.455 million to various departments for taking up contingency measures. This includes Rs.350 million for supplying seeds to farmers for raising alternative crops with 50 percent subsidy.

Concerned over the drinking water scarcity, the chief minister has directed officials to increase the frequency of the tankers supplying water.