The worst-affected is Anantapur district, where all 63 mandals have been declared drought-hit.
The Andhra Pradesh government has declared 456 mandals spread across 15 districts of Andhra Pradesh as drought-hit.
Information and Public Relations Minister D K Aruna briefed the media at the state Secretariat on Saturday.
The worst-affected is Anantapur district, where all 63 mandals have been declared drought-hit. This is followed by Nalgonda, where 52 out of 59 mandals have been declared drought-hit.
Similarly, 50 out of 57 mandals in Karimanagar, 43 out of 46 mandals in Medak, 41 mandals in Mahabubnagar, 38 in Prakasam, 31 in Khammam, 29 in Kurnool, 26 in Ranga Reddy, 28 in YSR Kadapa, 13 in Chittoor, 13 in Krishna, 11 in Guntur, 10 in Srikakulam and 8 mandals in Visakhapatnam have been declared drought-hit.
Aruna said that immediate measures would be taken to provide relief to the farmers in the drought-hit mandals. Another round of assessment will be carried on to identify more affected areas.
The state Cabinet has also approved of the second round of the Rachanbanda program to be launched on 2 November. Further, the Cabinet has also given its nod to observe November as "Welfare Month".
The Information Minister said that a total of 1,116 mandals and 134 municipalities would be covered under the Rachabanda II.
Nearly 24 lakh ration cards, 5 lakh pensions and 6 lakh housing sanction orders will be distributed during the program. It is also proposed to ensure drinking water facilities in 6,958 rural schools in this round of Rachabanda.
Aruna also confirmed that all Telangana ministers would participate in Rachabanda.
The Cabinet has also empowered the District Collectors to hoist flags on the occasion of AP State Formation Day on 1 November. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy will hoist the flag at the state's district headquarters.
The state cabinet has approved of the Bill to make amendments to provide reservations to all sections of Backward Classes irrespective of their classification, in electoral offices in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporations. Earlier, the Creamy Layer of BCs was not entitled for this benefit.
The cabinet has also decided to tackle the outbreak of dengue on a war-footing across the state. Officials have been directed to fill all vacant posts in dengue-affected areas and to ensure adequate medical supplies.
The Cabinet has also approved the construction of Sri Shakhati Bhavans in 473 mandals, at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh each, under the Srinidhi scheme.
5 ministers abstained from the Cabinet meeting, which was held after a gap of 75 days. While Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy could not attend the meeting due to his Delhi tour, IT Minister Ponnala Laxmaiah missed it because of his US visit.
Mines and Geology Galla Aruna Kumari was unwell, and Animal Husbandry P Vishwaroop skipped the meeting due to the death of a relative.
Handloom and Textiles Minister Dr. P Shankar Rao, too, left the Secretariat immediately after signing the register. However, he did not disclose his reasons for not participating in the Cabinet meeting. (INN)