El Nino-induced water and power crisis likely to persist until July: Telangana CM Revanth

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy warned that Telangana could face prolonged drinking water crisis until July next year due to the impact of El Nino, affecting agricultural operations and increased electricity consumption.

Addressing a high-level meeting on the State’s preparedness to tackle El Nino-related conditions on Friday, Mr. Revanth Reddy said the government had been alerting people about the impending situation for the last six months, but political opponents were now accusing the Congress government of “bringing drought to Telangana”.

El Nino is not confined to Telangana, but affecting countries such as England and the United States and even States like Maharashtra, where some regions had already introduced water rationing, he added.

The Chief Minister said the State could witness a further deterioration in drinking water availability as temperatures rose and reservoirs and irrigation projects had limited water stocks. There is not even 200 tmc feet in reservoirs, and people should adapt to the situation as they did during the pandemic. High temperatures in summer will prevail, he said, warning people to be cautious. He said that out of 30 lakh pump sets, 15 lakh have already dried up.

He stressed that public representatives and officials should not conceal the severity of the problem. The public should be informed about the challenges and the measures being taken to address them or else they may end up believing in BRS’s propaganda.

The Chief Minister also cautioned that electricity availability was becoming a serious concern. The State was experiencing power demand of 20,000 MW compared to 13,000 MWs recorded in undivided Andhra Pradesh in the same period. He asked consumers to avoid unnecessary consumption of power and water. Government offices, in particular, should adopt measures to conserve power.

The CM also said that the government would make every effort to provide water for the ensuing kharif crop. However, farmers should make informed decisions about sowing, instead of being misled by political statements that could expose them to crop losses in the next season. He appealed to farmers to cultivate only rainfed crops and vegetables in view of the depletion of the water resources.

The CM announced that a special scheme will be introduced after Sankranti for four months until May, to provide daily employment to workers. “We must provide work to every individual and ensure that everyone has food to eat. This scheme must be meticulously designed and implemented. ‘Kalajathas’ (cultural troupes) should be organised to motivate farmers.” He also called for special measures to protect livestock, including adequate fodder and drinking water for animals.

Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, Ministers and MLAs were present.