Drought Alert: Telangana CM Announces 4-Month Employment Scheme to Fight El Nino Crisis
CM Revanth Reddy unveils a special employment scheme to combat El Nino drought conditions and water scarcity in Telangana.
Facing a severe water crisis triggered by El Niño weather conditions, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has announced a special employment scheme to provide daily work for laborers. The initiative is set to be implemented after the Sankranti festival and will run for four months, concluding in May, to support those affected by the prevailing drought.
A State Under Water Stress
During a high-level meeting with MPs, MLAs, and MLCs at Praja Bhavan, the Chief Minister painted a grim picture of the state's water security. He revealed that water storage in projects has plummeted to less than 20 per cent of their total capacity, with some reservoirs hitting dead storage levels. With only about 200 TMC of water available, the government has ruled out irrigation use, prioritizing drinking water requirements above all else.
The impact on groundwater is equally alarming. Chief Minister Reddy noted that out of 30 lakh pump sets across the state, 15 lakh have already dried up. Consequently, he has urged farmers to pivot their strategy, advising them to cultivate only vegetables and rainfed crops, as drought conditions are expected to persist for the next eight to ten months.
Details of the Employment and Relief Initiative
To mitigate the economic blow to rural workers, the state government will supplement funds received from the Central government to fuel the special employment scheme. The focus of this work will include:
- Restoring access paths to agricultural fields.
- Cleaning and maintaining canals and ponds.
- Reviving small water bodies to improve future water retention.
To ensure the scheme reaches the grassroots, public representatives have been directed to visit villages. A special mobile application will be installed on their phones to monitor the progress of the initiative. Furthermore, the government will create additional workdays under the existing employment guarantee scheme to provide a safety net for the vulnerable.
Support Systems for Farmers and Cattle
Recognizing the psychological and physical toll of the drought, the government is launching several support mechanisms:
- Educational Outreach: 'Kalajathas' (cultural troupes) will be organized to motivate farmers, and leaders will use Rythu Vedikas to educate them on the drought reality.
- Cattle Care: Special centers will be established in villages to provide essential drinking water and fodder for livestock.
- Grievance Redressal: A toll-free number will be launched for citizens to report issues, and a dedicated help desk will be set up at Gandhi Bhavan under the leadership of MP Chamala Kiran.
Managing Power and Misinformation
The drought has also triggered a surge in electricity demand, which has hit 20,000 MW—a massive jump from the 13,000 MW recorded during the same season in undivided Andhra Pradesh. While the Electricity Department has managed to meet this demand, the Chief Minister urged citizens to use power only for essential needs, noting that electricity is currently scarce in the market despite the government's willingness to pay any price.
To combat the crisis on all fronts, the government has appointed K Ramakrishna Rao as a special officer to address El Niño-related issues and counter misinformation. A Cabinet sub-committee, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, has also been formed to oversee the situation.
Push for Solar Energy and Policy Critique
Chief Minister Reddy emphasized the urgent need for increased solar power generation, citing the success of villagers in Kongareddypalli who have profited by selling solar electricity. He called for the active involvement of women’s self-help groups in this transition.
The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to criticize the previous BRS government's planning, specifically the establishment of a thermal power plant at Damaracherla. He argued that projects should be located where raw materials are readily available, pointing out that power from the Singareni region is significantly cheaper, costing only Rs 4 to Rs 5 per unit. He further highlighted the financial strain of the 4,000 MW Yadadri Power Plant, which incurred an additional expenditure of Rs 8,000 crore.