Al-Ninos Severe Impact Expected to Peak by February 2027, Warns Telangana Chief Secretary

Hyderabad, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : Telangana’s Chief Secretary, Sanjay Jaju, announced on October 15 that the effects of Al-Nino are currently severe, with expectations that they will peak by February 2027. He noted that the phenomenon has significantly disrupted the monsoon, leading to temperature increases of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius.

During a media briefing following a visit to the Singur Dam, Jaju stated that the state government is taking necessary measures to address the current situation. He mentioned that the cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday evening would discuss the issue in detail.

The visit to the Singur Dam aimed to assess the availability of drinking water and the status of standing crops. Jaju instructed all departments to work in coordination over the next 15 to 20 days to safeguard the crops.

He highlighted that due to a significant drop in groundwater levels, accessing water for irrigation might become challenging, even with electricity available. As a result, he directed officials to prioritize drinking water needs.

To manage the situation effectively, nodal officers will be appointed in each district. Under the supervision of district collectors, officials from the electricity and agriculture departments will remain accessible to farmers to devise necessary plans based on ground realities.

Jaju initiated a regional tour in Sangareddy district to evaluate the changing weather patterns due to Al-Nino and its impact on water availability in the state. He inspected water levels in the Singur and Manjira reservoirs during this visit.

A review meeting with senior officials also took place, focusing on ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply in Hyderabad and the surrounding districts of Sangareddy, Kamareddy, Nizamabad, and Medak.

In light of decreasing water storage in the Singur and Manjira reservoirs, Jaju instructed officials to utilize available water resources efficiently and implement precautionary measures to meet future drinking water needs.

He emphasized the need for special attention to water management due to declining groundwater levels. Officials were tasked with assessing water availability over the next 15 days and taking necessary operational steps accordingly.

Jaju also directed relevant departments to continuously monitor the impact of changing weather on crops. He stressed that the next 15 to 20 days are crucial for standing crops, urging farmers to remain vigilant. Agriculture department officials were instructed to provide necessary guidance to farmers on-site.

He assured that uninterrupted electricity supply for agricultural needs would be prioritized by the electricity department. Jaju called for coordination among the agriculture, electricity, and irrigation departments, taking into account the current weather conditions and water availability.

Finally, he urged officials to assess ground realities personally, engage with farmers and local residents to understand their needs, and inform the public about the precautionary measures being taken by the government.