A farm pond under Settipalli Gram Panchayat limits in Gundala mandal, Bhadradri Kothagudem district. (file pic)
The Panchayat Raj and Rural Development department is gearing up to mitigate the impact of the anticipated El Nino conditions by strengthening water conservation initiatives, improving groundwater resources and creating enhanced employment opportunities for job card holders under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB G RAM G).
According to official sources, the department will take up the construction of 9.60 lakh soak pits, 25,000 farm ponds, 5,000 percolation tanks and 5,000 borewell recharge structures as part of large-scale water conservation works over the next three months under the “Telangana Jalasiri” programme. The construction of buildings for gram panchayats (GPs), village organisations (VOs) and Anganwadi centres will also be expedited.
Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Danasari Anasuya said programmes would also be organised in all districts on Monday (July 20) to create awareness among people about the adverse impact of El Nino.
On the other hand, the department has set a target of generating 12 crore person-days of employment during the current financial year ending March 31, 2027. “Of this, 4.5 crore person-days are planned between July and October, considering the dry spell conditions that are likely to affect agricultural operations. While nearly 2.5 lakh labourers are currently being provided work every day, we have directed officials to increase the number to about five lakh daily,” she said after holding a review meeting with senior officials of the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development department on Sunday (July 19). She added that the person-day target would be increased if the El Nino conditions worsened.
“Priority is being given to women members of self-help groups (SHGs) who own agricultural land for the construction of farm ponds,” the Minister said.
The action plan has been prepared against the backdrop of forecasts indicating a decline in groundwater levels due to below-normal rainfall. The State’s average groundwater level stood at 9.46 metres below ground level (mbgl) in June 2026 and is projected to decline to 10.35 mbgl in July and 11.01 mbgl in August if the State records an overall rainfall deficit of around 30%. The highest fall in groundwater levels are expected in districts such as Vikarabad, Medak, Sangareddy, Nizamabad, Siddipet and Kamareddy.
Published – July 19, 2026 07:19 pm IST
