Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will convene a special Cabinet meeting on Monday to review the state’s drought situation, falling water storage, drinking water availability, agricultural conditions and rising power demand. The review comes as deficient rainfall and depleted irrigation tanks raise concerns over standing crops, rural livelihoods and water supplies in the coming months.
Telangana recorded 615.5 mm of rainfall during the southwest monsoon season against a normal of 740.6 mm, marking a 17 per cent deficit by September 30. Although the state remained within the India Meteorological Department’s normal rainfall category, 18 of its 33 districts received deficient rainfall, according to the report.
Around 235 mandals have been identified as facing drought-like conditions. The situation has raised concerns over potential crop losses and the ability of farmers to sustain cultivation, particularly in areas dependent on irrigation tanks and regular electricity supply for agricultural pump sets.
Water storage in minor irrigation tanks has fallen sharply. Of the 21,500 tanks being monitored across Telangana, 17,677 had less than half their storage capacity as of October 3. As many as 12,944 tanks had either dried up or held less than one-quarter of their normal storage. Combined storage in the monitored tanks stood at 94.30 tmc ft, compared with their total capacity of 253.80 tmc ft.
The Cabinet is also expected to review complaints from farmers about frequent and unscheduled interruptions in three-phase power supply. Farmers in several districts have staged protests, alleging that the interruptions are disrupting irrigation and damaging pump-set motors. The power review will take place alongside discussions on agriculture, irrigation and drinking water supply.
The Telangana government has already adopted a Legislative Assembly resolution seeking the declaration of drought-affected mandals and financial assistance from the Centre. It has sought a special package of Rs 20,000 crore to address the rainfall deficit and support affected farmers.
The meeting is expected to consider immediate relief measures, the drought subcommittee’s action plan and suggestions submitted during an all-party meeting, as well as views from farmers’ organisations and experts. The Cabinet will also examine measures to minimise crop losses and manage the state’s available water and power resources.
