Telangana Leaders Urge Water and Power Conservation Due to Super El Nino

Telangana has no rain expected until July because of the Super El Nino effect, prompting state leaders to ask the public to use water and electricity very carefully. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, along with ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao and Ponnam Prabhakar, shared this warning during a video conference held on Monday.

Action Plan

State Chief Secretary Santhajazu, along with all district collectors and top officials, took part in the meeting under the Rythu Nestham program. Leaders instructed that all current water sources must be saved strictly for drinking water needs only. Farmers should avoid planting paddy and cotton for the Yasangi 2026-27 season and instead grow crops that take less time to harvest. World Meteorological Organization reports indicate that the El Nino impact will reach its peak by December. Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao noted that the government has been spreading awareness about this issue since last February, which already helped reduce paddy cultivation by about 10 lakh acres while boosting vegetable farming in areas like Mahabubnagar. Collector Koya Sripharsha also participated in the video conference from the Kanukula Rythu Vedika.

Official Instructions

All government departments must work together to stop drinking water shortages and food grain scarcity, while also making sure cattle get enough feed and water. Officials must share true facts about power supply and groundwater levels with farmers so they can make smart choices. The government also urged opposition parties not to play politics with these dry weather conditions and asked them to act responsibly. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka emphasized that supplying drinking water to people is the top priority for the state right now.

Context

El Nino is a natural climate pattern that causes warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific, leading to reduced rainfall and dry weather in various parts of the world. Government agencies and weather offices track these shifts months in advance to help farming communities prepare for dry spells by changing what crops they plant.