Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has introduced a special employment scheme aimed at providing daily work for labourers over a period of four months. This initiative comes in response to the anticipated El Niño weather conditions and the associated fears of a significant drought in the state. The Chief Minister highlighted that the drought is expected to commence in October and persist until July, leading to increased heat and water evaporation, which could exacerbate water scarcity issues.

Reddy expressed concerns that drinking water availability would be more severely impacted than irrigation supplies. He noted that the situation could escalate, potentially making it difficult for residents to leave their homes due to extreme conditions.

Water Storage Levels Raise Alarm

During his address, Reddy revealed alarming statistics regarding water resources in Telangana. He stated that out of 30 lakh pump sets in the state, approximately 15 lakh have already dried up. Furthermore, water storage levels in various projects have plummeted to below 20 per cent of their total capacity, with some projects reaching dead storage levels. The Chief Minister estimated that the total available water is now limited to around 200 TMC.

In light of these challenges, the newly announced job scheme is set to commence following the Sankranti festival and will continue until May. The state government plans to augment funds received from the Central government to support this employment initiative, aimed at providing relief to economically disadvantaged workers.

Reddy emphasised the importance of ensuring adequate drinking water supplies and instructed a Cabinet sub-committee to monitor the situation continuously. A toll-free number will be established to address public grievances, and local representatives will be encouraged to visit villages to assess conditions directly.

Focus on Water Conservation and Community Support

The employment scheme will also prioritise the restoration of access paths to agricultural fields, canals, ponds, and smaller water bodies. Cultural initiatives, referred to as ‘Kalajathas’, will be organised to encourage farmers to adopt water conservation practices. A help desk will be established at Gandhi Bhavan, led by MP Chamala Kiran, to assist in these efforts.

Reddy stated that the government has a duty to communicate the ground realities and ensure that no citizen suffers during this crisis. He called for educational efforts directed at farmers through Rythu Vedikas across the state. Special centres will be created in villages to provide fodder and drinking water for livestock, while additional workdays will be made available under the employment guarantee scheme.

The Chief Minister also announced the formation of a Cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, with K Ramakrishna Rao appointed as a special officer to address El Niño-related issues and counter misinformation regarding the situation.

Electricity Demand and Sustainable Solutions

Reddy noted that the combination of extreme heat and water scarcity has resulted in a significant surge in electricity consumption, with demand reaching 20,000 megawatts compared to 13,000 megawatts during the same period in undivided Andhra Pradesh. He assured that the Electricity Department has successfully made this capacity available, although he cautioned that electricity may not be readily available in the market.

He urged residents to limit their electricity usage to essential needs and highlighted the necessity for increased solar power generation. Reddy mentioned that villagers in Kongareddypalli have benefited from selling solar-generated electricity, and he called for greater involvement of women’s self-help groups in these initiatives.

In conclusion, the Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to managing the agricultural crisis effectively, ensuring the protection and procurement of Kharif crops, and addressing the challenges posed by the impending drought.

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