Hyderabad, Oct 23 (Maxim News): Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has warned that the state could face severe water and power shortages for the next eight to ten months due to anticipated El Niño conditions.
Speaking at Praja Bhavan on Friday, October 23, the Chief Minister said drinking water availability could become a major concern. He ruled out sufficient water for irrigation and urged farmers to reconsider water-intensive crops.
Revanth Reddy said the government must prepare people for the difficult months ahead. He stressed that drinking water supplies would receive priority as reservoir levels remained critically low.
The Chief Minister also warned that rising temperatures could make outdoor activity difficult. He called on people to conserve water and electricity rather than waste limited resources.
Revanth Reddy Calls for Water Conservation and Drought Preparedness
Revanth Reddy said water storage in major irrigation projects had fallen below 20 per cent of their total capacity. He also said around 15 lakh of Telangana’s 30 lakh agricultural pump sets had reportedly run dry.
He urged farmers to avoid water-intensive paddy cultivation during the upcoming Rabi season. Instead, he recommended rain-fed crops and vegetables, depending on local conditions and available water.
The Chief Minister directed officials to prioritise drinking water for people, livestock and other living beings. He also instructed the Cabinet sub-committee led by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to coordinate drought preparedness.
The government plans to introduce a special employment scheme after Sankranti. The programme is expected to operate for four months, until May, to provide work for labourers affected by drought conditions.
Revanth Reddy said the scheme should support restoration of access roads to agricultural fields, canals, ponds and other water bodies. He also directed officials to explore additional employment opportunities under the employment guarantee programme.
The Chief Minister asked public representatives to help communicate the seriousness of the situation to farmers and residents. He also called for awareness campaigns through Rythu Vedikas and cultural programmes.
Meanwhile, the government plans to monitor drinking water supplies and establish a toll-free helpline for complaints. Officials are expected to coordinate measures across departments to address water, agriculture and electricity concerns.
The Chief Minister also criticised the previous BRS government while discussing the crisis. However, the projected duration and severity of the shortages will depend on rainfall, reservoir conditions and the effectiveness of preparedness measures.
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