Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has warned of a possible El Niño crisis in the coming months. He directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan through June next year. The plan must address potential challenges involving drinking water, irrigation, agriculture and electricity supply.
Revanth Reddy held a review meeting at his Jubilee Hills residence on Saturday. He stressed advance planning and precautionary measures. He cautioned that failing to anticipate emerging challenges could create serious difficulties in the months ahead.
The Chief Minister expressed particular concern about the power situation. He warned that electricity shortages could worsen. The government was prepared to purchase any amount of power, he said, but electricity was not readily available in the market. Officials must therefore ensure judicious use of the available supply.
He also directed officials to explore ways to temporarily defer electricity-dependent activities wherever feasible. Such measures, he said, could help conserve power and protect supplies for essential needs. He called for a robust response strategy similar to the measures adopted during the COVID-19 crisis. Public participation would be crucial to implementing the initiatives effectively, he stressed.
El Niño crisis plan to focus on awareness
Revanth Reddy instructed officials to launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign on the possible effects of the El Niño crisis. The campaign should use films, media, cultural troupes and other communication channels to reach people across the state. According to the Chief Minister, the outreach must cover every level, from villages to the state level.
In addition, he emphasised the need to prepare people for potential difficulties. He also urged them to take part in conservation efforts.
Water conservation and sector-wise planning
Water conservation was another major priority at the meeting. Revanth Reddy directed officials to take all necessary steps to prevent a worsening water crisis. He asked them to ensure that not even a drop of water was wasted.
The proposed action plan will cover essential services and key sectors until June next year. Officials were told to plan ahead for possible El Niño-related challenges. They were asked to give particular attention to drinking water, irrigation, agriculture and electricity availability.
