Agriculture in Andhra Pradesh is mostly dependent on rainfall. Agricultural production depends upon the seasonal distribution of rainfall. In the State, South-West and North-East Monsoons are the two important periodic winds, which are the important sources of the rain. South-West Monsoon (66%) is spread over the period from June to September and North-East Monsoon (24%) (From October to December).

The normal annual rainfall of the State is 940 m.m. Major portion (66%) of rainfall is contributed by South-West Monsoon (June-Sept) followed by (24%) North-East Monsoon (Oct-Dec). The rest 10% of the rainfall is received during the winter and summer months.

The Normal rainfall distribution in the three regions of the State differs with the season and Monsoon. The influence of South-West Monsoon is predominant in Telangana region (716m.m) followed by Coastal Andhra (620 m.m) and Rayalaseema (407 m.m), whereas the North-East Monsoon provides high amount of rainfall in Coastal Andhra area (324 m.m) followed by Rayalaseema (238 m.m) and Telangana (129 m.m). There are no significant differences in Normal distribution of rainfall during winter and hot weather periods among three regions

The State receives major portion of its rainfall from South-West Monsoon. The season-wise decadal rainfall is as follows:

DURING SOUTH-WEST MONSOON (1.6.08 TO 30.9.08)

• The Meteorological Department, Hyderabad has announced that the South-West Monsoon had set over Rayalaseema, Coastal Andhra Pradesh on 02.06.2008 and covered entire Andhra Pradesh from 10th June, 2008

• 12th& 13th June, 08 received isolated rains in North Coastal and Telangana districts.

• The Monsoon is inactive and lull was observed from 1st week of June,08 and isolated showers were received have resulted the farm operations are lag behind.

• After a long dry spell, with the Monsoon trough the State has been received good rains from 24.7.08 to 29.7.08. Again, heavy rains received in the State from 3rd August to 5th August,08, in Coastal and Telangana Regions and isolated rains in Rayalaseema region with the low pressure over to hovering in the Bay of Bengal of North Andhra Coast keeping the Monsoon "Vigorous".

• Due to deep depression in Bay of Bengal, widespread heavy rains received in the State i.e., except Rayalaseema region from 8th to 11th August,08, which caused heavy inundation of crops resulting into severe damage to crops.

• Due to low pressure, the State have been received widespread rains on 8th & 9th Sept.08.

• The % deviation of rainfall received from Excess (+20% and above) in West Godavari, Krishna, Anantapur, Warangal, Hyderabad, and Khammam. The other districts was recorded as Normal (-19% to +19%). Deficient rainfall (-20% to -59%) only in Nellore (-25%), Kadapa (-28%), and Prakasam (-26%).

• Heavy rains drenched the State and the rains were more beneficial to the State since they were widespread compared to the last wet spell during last week of July.08. Heavy rains lashed the catchments areas of Krishna and Godavari basins brought substantial inflows into the major reservoirs.


IMPACT OF SOUTH-WEST MONSOON DURING 2008:

• Revival of monsoon during the weekending 24.7.08, and subsequent rains received during 2nd and 3rd week of August, helped to take up the sowing of almost all rainfed crops particularly Maize, cotton castor and pulses.

North East Monsoon: South-West Monsoon is withdrawn from the State. With the active North-East Monsoon from 20th October,2008. Formation of deep depression in Bay of Bengal a Cyclonic (Khai Mukh) rain received on 15th to 17th November,08. Due to convection in Bay of Bengal(NISHA),heavy rains received in Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa and Chittoor districts on 27th to 30th Nov.08. The dry spell prevailed in entire State since last three weeks.