Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy has urged farmers to cooperate with the state govt and not to go for paddy cultivation in the upcoming ‘yasangi’ (rabi). Stating that Telangana may face a severe crisis due to the anticipated impact of El Niño , with shortages of drinking water, irrigation water and electricity posing major challenges over the next eight to ten months, the CM appealed to the farmers, political parties, public representatives and citizens to join hands with govt to tackle the situation.




The CM announced the constitution of a cabinet sub-committee, headed by deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, which will hold an all-party meeting to take suggestions from opposition parties, scientists, intellectuals and various organisations on the El Nino conditions. He said he would lead a delegation to Delhi in the first week of Nov to meet the Union home minister and other ministers. He called on the Centre to extend generous assistance through schemes, funded jointly by the Centre and state, with contributions of 60% and 40% respectively.




“The available water must be conserved, and drinking water should be given priority,” Revanth Reddy said, cautioning farmers against sowing paddy without assessing water availability.




He expressed concern over declining water availability in the river basins. He said water storage in the Krishna was 72% below the required level and that the Godavari basin had a 40% shortfall. Rainfall was also 23% deficit, according to the figures cited by him.




Against an estimated requirement of 460 thousand million cubic (TMC) feet of water in Oct generally, only about 209 TMC was currently available, he said. With reservoirs approaching critically low levels and drinking water needs of nearly 24,000 villages have to be met, he said govt would have to use available water judiciously and urged people to avoid wasting water on washing vehicles and other non-essential activities, stating that every drop would be valuable in the coming months.




Addressing a press conference after reviewing the El Nino situation, irrigation and drinking water and power crisis with available cabinet ministers and officials, the CM said scientists had warned about the possibility of extreme heat and water scarcity in 2026. He described the anticipated impact as a major natural disaster and said govt had prepared an action plan to address the challenges.




Revanth Reddy said the state was already experiencing an unprecedented rise in electricity demand . Against the normal Oct requirement of 15,000 megawatts (MW), demand had increased to nearly 20,000 MW, with consumption touching 20,003 MW on Thursday. The operation of around 30 lakh agricultural pump sets had further increased the burden on the power network, he added. He said govt was purchasing power from the market at prevailing prices to protect standing crops from drying up before harvesting, expected to begin in about 20 days.




The CM urged the Centre to facilitate the supply of electricity from power-surplus states to those facing shortages at affordable rates.




On diversification of crops, the CM said farmers had cultivated paddy on 56 lakh acres, while alternative crops had been taken up on 13 lakh acres. He urged farmers to reconsider water-intensive crops in the next season, warning that inadequate water could leave paddy nurseries and standing crops vulnerable to damage.




He said reports indicated that nearly 10 lakh acres could face the risk of crop loss. Officials had been instructed to take all possible measures to prevent crops from drying up. Govt would also prepare proposals seeking central assistance for farmers affected by crop losses during the monsoon and those who might have to forgo cultivation in the next season.




Revanth Reddy said the state govt was preparing an action plan to expand employment under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (now VB-G RAM G), with repairs to tanks and ponds to receive priority. He said the number of workers engaged under the scheme had increased from 25,000 during the corresponding period last year to 2.5 lakh currently.




He also stressed the need to ensure drinking water and fodder for livestock, warning that inadequate supplies could threaten animal survival.




Nodal Officer:




Govt has appointed a nodal officer for media coordination and would establish a toll-free number. Cultural troupes would be mobilised to create public awareness, while journalists, experts, film personalities, sportspersons and artists would be requested to spread the message of water and electricity conservation.




Expressing confidence that Telangana could overcome the challenge through collective action, Revanth Reddy said govt was monitoring the situation continuously and would take steps to protect farmers, households and vulnerable sections of society.