Telangana Braces for El Niño: CM Warns of Severe Drought, Appoints Nodal Officer
CM Revanth Reddy warns of a severe drought in Telangana due to El Nino and calls for public cooperation to tackle water scarcity.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has issued a stern warning regarding a looming, prolonged drought-like situation triggered by Telangana El Nino drought conditions. Stressing that the crisis cannot be managed by the government alone, the Chief Minister emphasized the urgent need to make the general public stakeholders in the fight against water scarcity and environmental distress.
A Global Crisis Hitting Home
Addressing the media during a meeting focused on El Niño and graduates MLC elections, CM Revanth Reddy pointed out that this is not merely a local issue but a global phenomenon. He noted that even highly developed nations are struggling, citing Britain as an example of a country facing drought due to El Niño.
The Chief Minister highlighted that severe weather patterns are triggering international water crises, leading to stringent conservation measures worldwide. He specifically mentioned neighboring Maharashtra, where drinking water is already being rationed and residents are required to reduce their water consumption by 20%.
The Timeline of the Crisis
According to the Chief Minister, the drought conditions starting in October are expected to persist until July. He warned that increasing heat and higher rates of water evaporation will exacerbate the situation. While irrigation water will be affected, he cautioned that drinking water will face even more severe hardships.
"The problem starts small and grows big, creating a situation where people cannot step out of their homes. We cannot face this drought without alerting people and making them stakeholders," the Chief Minister stated.
Administrative Action and Countering Misinformation
To manage the crisis and prevent the spread of panic or false information, the Telangana government is establishing a dedicated administrative framework:
- Sub-Committee: A specialized sub-committee has been formed under the leadership of Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka.
- Nodal Officer: Ramakrishna Rao has been appointed as the Nodal Officer on El Niño, specifically tasked with countering false propaganda and streamlining mitigation measures.
A Call for Unity: Comparing El Niño to COVID-19
Drawing a parallel to the 2019-2020 pandemic, CM Reddy urged political parties, citizens, and the media to set aside political differences to tackle this natural disaster. He recalled how political parties cooperated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeals during the COVID-19 crisis and called for the same spirit of unity in Telangana.
The Chief Minister cited United Nations reports stating that the impact of El Niño would be felt across nearly 100 countries. He linked these environmental changes to global warming, noting that scientists have been warning of these consequences, with effects being severely felt since the beginning of 2026.
Critical Risks: Power, Water, and Livestock
Beyond human consumption, the Chief Minister highlighted other critical vulnerabilities:
- Power Demand: Electricity demand is expected to be extremely high during the heatwaves.
- Livestock: There is a significant risk to cattle, with the CM warning that livestock could perish rapidly if adequate fodder and water are not ensured.
Media Collaboration
Recognizing the role of communication in crisis management, the CM stated that media cooperation is "100% essential." To facilitate this, the state government plans to appoint a specific nodal officer for the media and launch a toll-free number to provide accurate information and updates to the public.