Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has warned that the state may have no water available for agriculture during the next season, saying the government will prioritise drinking water amid drought conditions and the impact of El Nino.
Speaking at a meeting with Congress MLAs and leaders on Friday, Reddy said no irrigation water would be available in November, December, January and February. He urged farmers to avoid water-intensive crops and adopt varieties that require less water.
“Paddy sowing for the next Yasangi has not commenced. Not a single drop (of water) will be available in November, December, January and February,” he said, according to Telangana Today. Yasangi is the state’s winter cropping season.
The Chief Minister said the water shortage could develop into a major crisis over the next eight to 10 months. He asked political representatives to create awareness among residents and farmers about conserving water and electricity.
The warning comes as groundwater stress affects agricultural power demand. Reddy said Telangana has 30 lakh agricultural pump sets, of which 15 lakh had already run dry. He cautioned that even if electricity were arranged for farmers, the absence of groundwater could leave them unable to recover their cultivation costs.
The state government is also facing pressure over electricity procurement. Reddy said Andhra Pradesh was purchasing power at Rs. 15 per unit, while Central government norms limited the price to Rs. 10 per unit. Telangana had attempted to secure additional electricity, he said, but power was not available in the market and efforts to obtain bank loans for purchases had not resolved the shortage.
The Chief Minister called for a comprehensive plan to meet power demand and asked the Planning Commission to promote more judicious electricity use in government offices by reducing the use of air conditioners, fans and other appliances.
The water warning also intersects with the state’s paddy procurement policy. The government is offering a minimum support price of Rs. 2,400 per quintal and a Rs. 500 bonus for seven specified fine-rice varieties, taking the total to Rs. 2,900. Reddy said traders from other states were offering farmers between Rs. 3,500 and Rs. 4,000 per quintal in advance, while the government was ready to procure the crop.
He said retail prices for fine rice had reached Rs. 85 to Rs. 90 a kilogram after farmers received higher prices, and argued that the price increase should be understood in that context.
The government is also preparing rural employment and local works measures. Reddy asked the Panchayat Raj Department to prepare special MGNREGA plans after Sankranthi, including road development and the clearing of wild growth from feeder channels. He said the works would provide livelihoods while supporting local water-flow infrastructure.
Reddy directed elected representatives to remain in rural areas for four months, until May, to help communicate the government’s response. An app will be used to track their locations, he said. The government’s immediate priorities, as outlined at the meeting, are drinking-water protection, conservation messaging, power-demand management and preparation for rural employment works.
