The Telangana Government has urged farmers to use water and energy resources judiciously amid concerns over the possible impact of El Nino, warning of rainfall shortages, rising temperatures and declining water availability across the state.
During the Rythu Nestham programme, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju interacted with District Collectors, departmental officials and farmers through a video conference to discuss precautionary measures.
Government Prioritises Drinking Water
- Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said the government was preparing for difficult conditions that could continue into 2027. He stressed that available water resources must be conserved, with drinking water and livestock requirements receiving priority.
- He said departments would work together to address potential drinking water shortages, food grain concerns and the need to provide fodder and water for livestock. The government also aims to minimise crop losses through advance planning and guidance from agricultural scientists.
Farmers Advised to Avoid Paddy and Cotton
- Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao advised farmers to avoid cultivating paddy and cotton during the current Rabi season because of limited water availability.
- He recommended rain-fed and short duration crops that require less water, including pulses and oilseeds. Farmers were also encouraged to protect crops already under cultivation and consider alternatives such as green gram, black gram, chickpea, groundnut, sunflower, sesame and safflower.
- The minister said seeds for rain-fed crops were being supplied at subsidised prices and called on officials to create awareness about suitable crop choices.
Rainfall Deficit and Low Reservoir Inflows
- Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju said the state had recorded a rainfall deficit of around 20 per cent compared with the previous monsoon season, with all 33 districts receiving below normal rainfall.
- According to the figures shared during the meeting, inflows into the Krishna basin stood at approximately 80 TMC against an expected 270 TMC. The Godavari basin received around 100 TMC, compared with an expected 150 TMC.
- Officials said the available water was insufficient to support normal agricultural requirements. The government plans to prioritise drinking water supplies over the coming months and conserve water in major and minor irrigation projects.
- The Irrigation Department also reported that water had been supplied to around 7 lakh acres this year, compared with 37.56 lakh acres through various projects last year.
Rising Temperatures and Power Concerns
- Meteorological Department official Dr. Sravanthi warned that El Nino could contribute to deficient rainfall and higher temperatures. She said conditions could become more concerning during November and December, while the northeast monsoon was not expected to significantly improve the situation.
- Energy Department Special Chief Secretary Naveen Mittal said reduced water availability had affected electricity generation, which was reportedly around 25 per cent of last year’s level. He also noted that electricity consumption reached a record 19,892 megawatts on September 30.
Emergency Measures and Livestock Protection
- The state government announced plans to establish special monitoring rooms at state and district levels to assess conditions and issue necessary guidelines. An emergency Cabinet meeting is also expected to discuss the situation and the possibility of sending a high level delegation to the Centre.
- Officials said plans were being prepared to maintain drinking water supplies, while special arrangements and emergency camps would help provide fodder and water for the state’s approximately 1.39 crore livestock and animals.
- Agricultural scientists reiterated that farmers should consider low water crops, short duration varieties and drip irrigation wherever suitable. The government urged farmers to follow official agricultural advisories and assess local water availability before deciding what to cultivate.
Source: Press release issued by the Special Commissioner, Department of Information and Public Relations, Telangana Government.
