Hyderabad, October 11 (Daily Kiran) : The Telangana government is urging farmers to avoid planting a second crop this season due to the severe impact of El Niño and ongoing drought conditions. P. Sudarshan Reddy, an agricultural advisor and legislator, made this appeal on Sunday, highlighting the critical shortage of drinking water and limited electricity availability in the state.
Reddy noted that water levels in major reservoirs, lakes, and ponds have dropped significantly, along with a decline in groundwater levels. He emphasized the need for immediate action to address these challenges. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, along with the chief secretary and officials from various departments, is continuously reviewing critical issues related to irrigation water and electricity supply across the state.
In particular, water from the Singur project area in Nizamabad district is being prioritized for drinking purposes. Due to reduced electricity generation from the Nizamsagar and Srisailem projects, residents and farmers have been urged to use electricity sparingly and conserve water.
The government advisor has instructed officials to ensure an uninterrupted supply of drinking water and to prevent wastage. It is expected that water in the Singur project will last until December 2026, prompting the need for better management of water resources for future requirements.
Sudarshan Reddy called on farmers and the public to avoid wasting water under any circumstances. He stressed the importance of responsible resource usage and the need for strict measures from officials to curb unnecessary consumption.
He expressed concern that planting a second crop without adequate water could exacerbate the already critical situation caused by El Niño. Therefore, he has requested farmers not to sow the Yasangi (Rabi) crop this season.
Reddy also directed officials from the irrigation, agriculture, and power departments, along with MPDOs and other relevant authorities, to establish special committees in every village through local panchayats. These committees will work to raise awareness among farmers and the general public about water and electricity conservation.
He pointed out that reduced water availability has impacted electricity production, leading the state to rely heavily on solar energy. Reddy appealed to farmers and citizens to collaborate with the government and relevant departments to effectively tackle the ongoing crisis.
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