Coastal AP more climate-vulnerable than Rayalaseema: Study

Visakhapatnam: A recent study has found that several coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh are more vulnerable to climate variability than the drought-prone Rayalaseema region, even as vegetation across the state has steadily improved over the past decade despite erratic rainfall.Analysing satellite data from 2015 to 2025, the study identified Konaseema, West Godavari, Kakinada, Krishna and Srikakulam as the most climate-vulnerable districts. In contrast, Rayalaseema districts — including Chittoor, Annamayya, Sri Sathya Sai, Anantapur and Kurnool — recorded some of the strongest gains in vegetation health.Researchers used the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a satellite-based measure of vegetation greenness, and found values rising from 0.445 to 0.529 over the study period, with peak greenness recorded in 2025.Rainfall, however, remained highly uneven, ranging from about 810 mm in 2016 to nearly 1,260 mm in 2020 — the wettest year. After 2020, rainfall declined before recovering again in 2024 and 2025, reflecting typical monsoon variability that impacts agriculture and water resources.Notably, several Rayalaseema districts showed the strongest vegetation gains, possibly driven by irrigation expansion, increased farm activity and improved groundwater use. The findings challenge the perception of uniform vulnerability in the region and suggest that local adaptation measures are strengthening resilience.While most districts showed a positive rainfall–vegetation link, the strength of this relationship varied, indicating that irrigation, cropping patterns and land management also play a key role in sustaining greenery.Using the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), the study found moderate ecosystem health across Andhra Pradesh, with values ranging between 0.43 and 0.57. Districts such as Palnadu, Prakasam, Kurnool, Konaseema and Guntur showed relatively stronger vegetation conditions.Conducted by Dr MR Goutham and Dr Suneel Kumar Duvvuri of Govt College (Autonomous), Rajahmundry, the study highlights uneven climate risks and calls for targeted adaptation strategies, especially in coastal districts, while drawing lessons from Rayalaseema’s improving resilience. The study was published in the ’International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment.’