The Telangana government has warned of a “very critical” situation in the state over the next 10 months and more, citing the expected impact of this year’s El Nino. The warning came on Monday, and the government spoke plainly about what lies ahead.
The government said drinking water shortages are likely and that there may be no irrigation for crops. It also pointed to the likelihood of power shortages. Temperatures could reach 50 degrees Celsius, it said. Drought war-rooms will be set up at the state and district level.
This was described as the first realistic assessment of El Nino’s impact this year. The government painted a grim picture but assured people that it is doing everything it can to reduce the effects of the global weather crisis. The forecast came during the weekly Rythu Nestham online video interaction, which ran a little over three hours.
On water, the government said all available water will be reserved only for drinking needs, with a reassessment in December. Reservoirs hold only half their normal storage. Not a drop will go to irrigation, and there is huge stress on groundwater. Things may also get rough for Hyderabad.
Several steps are planned to handle the situation:
- Special officers for every Assembly constituency
- Emergency drinking water camps for livestock
- Save water awareness drives
- Drought war-rooms at state and district levels
Agriculture scientists have sought a paddy “crop holiday” for the coming season. A separate report notes that a Minister has said the temperature may rise to 50ºC.
