In a renewed push to drought-proof the Rayalaseema region, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on 17 July, commissioned the Handri-Neeva Phase-1 canal augmentation work. The chief minister, intent on pinning down the YSRCP after steamrolling it in the last election, is understood to be giving top priority to addressing Rayalaseema's immediate irrigation needs.