Water Stress and Crop Risks Rise as El Niño Peaks by 2027, Says Telangana Official
Hyderabad, 15 October – Telangana’s chief secretary Sanjay Jaju told reporters on Thursday that the El Niño weather pattern has escalated to a severe level and may hit its apex by February 2027. The abnormal monsoon has already pushed temperatures up by two to three degrees Celsius across the state.
Speaking after a site visit to the Singur dam, Jaju said the state government is mobilising all required resources to confront the challenge and that the issue will be examined in depth during the cabinet meeting slated for Thursday evening.
The inspection of Singur aimed to assess drinking‑water availability and the condition of standing crops. Jaju directed all departments to collaborate intensively over the next 15‑20 days to protect crops that are currently in the field.
He warned that a dramatic fall in groundwater levels could limit irrigation water even though power supply remains stable. As a result, the chief secretary ordered that drinking‑water needs be prioritised. He also announced the placement of nodal officers in every district, who will work under the supervision of district collectors together with officials from the power and agriculture ministries to formulate ground‑level response strategies.
To evaluate the broader impact of El Niño on the state’s water resources, Jaju launched a regional tour of Sangareddy district. During the tour, he inspected water levels at both the Singur and Manjira reservoirs and conducted a review meeting with senior officials to monitor the rollout of emergency plans designed to ensure uninterrupted drinking‑water supply in Hyderabad and the districts of Sangareddy, Kamareddy, Nizamabad and Medak.
Given the reduction in water stored at the two reservoirs, Jaju instructed officials to optimise the use of available water and enforce strict precautionary measures to meet future drinking‑water demands. He stressed the importance of closely tracking groundwater depletion and asked agencies to reassess water availability for the next fifteen days and take necessary operational actions.
The chief secretary also mandated continuous monitoring of crop health as weather patterns shift. He stressed that the next 15‑20 days are critical for standing crops and that farmers need to stay alert. Agricultural officials have been directed to provide immediate on‑site guidance.
Jaju gave the power department a clear directive to maintain an uninterrupted electricity supply for agricultural purposes. He called for coordinated effort among agriculture, power and irrigation departments, keeping the current weather and water scenario in mind.
Lastly, he urged field officers to conduct on‑ground assessments, interact with farmers and local communities to understand their needs, and raise awareness about the precautionary steps being taken by the government.