Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has urged farmers to avoid paddy cultivation in the upcoming yasangi, or rabi, season as the state prepares for possible shortages of drinking water, irrigation water and electricity over the next eight to 10 months.
Speaking after a review meeting with cabinet ministers and officials on the anticipated El Niño impact, Reddy said the state would need to conserve available water and give priority to drinking-water requirements. He appealed to farmers, political parties, public representatives and citizens to cooperate with the government as it prepares for projected heat and water scarcity in 2026.
The chief minister announced that a cabinet sub-committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka would hold an all-party meeting. The panel is also expected to seek suggestions from opposition parties, scientists, intellectuals and other organisations on measures to manage the anticipated conditions.
Reddy said he would lead a delegation to Delhi in the first week of November to meet the Union home minister and other ministers. He asked the Centre to provide assistance through jointly funded schemes, with the Centre and state contributing 60% and 40% respectively. He also sought arrangements to supply electricity from power-surplus states to states facing shortages at affordable rates.
According to figures cited by the chief minister, water storage in the Krishna basin was 72% below the required level, while the Godavari basin had a 40% shortfall. Rainfall was 23% below normal, he said. Against an estimated October requirement of 460 thousand million cubic feet, or TMC feet, only about 209 TMC feet was currently available.
Reddy said reservoirs were approaching critically low levels while drinking-water needs in nearly 24,000 villages would have to be met. He asked residents to avoid wasting water on vehicle washing and other non-essential activities, saying every available drop would be important in the coming months.
The state is also facing rising electricity demand. Against a normal October requirement of 15,000 megawatts, demand had increased to nearly 20,000 MW, with consumption reaching 20,003 MW on Thursday, according to the chief minister. The operation of around 30 lakh agricultural pump sets has added to the pressure on the power network.
The government is purchasing electricity from the market at prevailing prices to protect standing crops from drying before harvesting, which is expected to begin in about 20 days. Reddy said nearly 10 lakh acres could face the risk of crop loss if water availability worsens. Officials have been directed to take measures to protect crops already in the fields.
The chief minister said farmers had cultivated paddy on 56 lakh acres, compared with 13 lakh acres under alternative crops. He urged them to reconsider water-intensive crops in the next season, warning that inadequate water could damage paddy nurseries and standing crops. The government will prepare proposals seeking central assistance for farmers affected by monsoon crop losses and those who may have to forgo cultivation in the next season.
The government also plans to expand employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, referred to in the report as VB-G RAM G, with repairs to tanks and ponds receiving priority. Reddy said the number of workers engaged under the scheme had risen from 25,000 during the corresponding period last year to 2.5 lakh currently.
The action plan will also cover drinking water and fodder for livestock. The government has appointed a nodal officer for media coordination and plans to establish a toll-free number. Cultural groups, journalists, experts, film personalities, sportspersons and artists may be mobilised to spread awareness about water and electricity conservation. The state government said it was monitoring the situation and would continue measures to protect farmers, households and vulnerable groups.
