Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday urged Telangana farmers to defer one crop this farming season. He warned that an unprecedented El Niño could cause severe water shortages over the next 9-10 months. The state must conserve water to protect drinking water supplies until the expected return of rains in July 2027.
Reddy addressed a press conference at the Secretariat on October 15. He spoke after meeting ministers to review the El Niño threat and the state’s water and power situation. Comparing the crisis to Covid-19, he called for a united public response. He urged people to follow the message, “Save Water, Save Power.”
The Chief Minister said the El Niño phenomenon was affecting countries worldwide. He linked the crisis to global warming and described it as a possible “Super El Niño.” According to Reddy, its severity exceeded anything seen since 1950. He also cited United Nations warnings that El Niño could affect 100 countries and nearly 100 crore people.
Low reservoir storage puts paddy cultivation at risk
Reddy said the government had earlier asked farmers to avoid paddy cultivation because of expected deficient rainfall. Farmers responded by leaving paddy unplanted across more than 13 lakh acres. However, paddy cultivation continued across about 53 lakh acres elsewhere.
He stressed that paddy requires large quantities of water. Current reservoir levels cannot meet both drinking water and irrigation needs, he said. Storage across Krishna basin reservoirs is 72% lower than at the same time last year. In the Godavari basin, water levels are down 42%.
Telangana would normally have 462 TMC of water across its reservoirs at this time of year. Current storage stands at only 200 TMC, according to the Chief Minister. He described the shortfall as an unprecedented crisis.
Reddy warned that planting another water-intensive crop could expose farmers to heavy losses. It could also worsen pressure on drinking water supplies. He appealed to farmers to help the state manage scarce water over the coming months.
Power demand exceeds normal October levels
The Chief Minister also raised concerns about the state’s electricity supply. Daily power consumption in October usually stands at around 15,000 MW. However, current demand has exceeded 20,000 MW, an increase of nearly 33%.
Reddy praised Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka for efforts to maintain electricity supplies. However, he said several states faced similar shortages. These included Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Kerala. He added that electricity was not readily available for purchase.
Drawing a parallel with the pandemic, Reddy urged people to conserve water and electricity until the rains return in July 2027. He called for cooperation beyond political differences. The response, he said, must ensure that no community is left behind.
He also praised farmers for helping India overcome food shortages after Independence. He described them as the backbone of Indian society. Farmers had repeatedly responded to the country’s needs during difficult periods, he said. Now, he appealed to them to help protect drinking water supplies.
Government plans support for affected labourers
Reddy said the government would support agricultural labourers affected by deferred cultivation. Under VB-G RAM G, the administration would focus on irrigation and nala works. These projects would improve preparedness when the rains return. They would also help the state respond to similar crises in the future.
The Chief Minister urged people in cities and towns to avoid wasting water. He stressed that water could not be manufactured and remained an essential resource. Every drop mattered, he said, as the state faced a prolonged period of uncertainty.
Nodal officer to coordinate El Niño information
To address misinformation, Reddy appointed K. Ramakrishna Rao as the nodal officer for El Niño-related information. Rao is a former Chief Secretary and currently serves as an Advisor to the Telangana government. The administration will also establish a special group of ministers to coordinate its response.
After Dasara, the government plans to hold an all-party meeting under Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. The meeting will discuss the crisis and determine the next steps. Reddy said a dedicated war room would monitor and optimise water supplies for residents.
The government will soon announce toll-free numbers for public enquiries. Ministers have also been instructed to communicate directly with people about response measures. Reddy urged political parties, journalists and citizens to share accurate information and support water and power conservation.
