El Nino impact severe, will be at peak till February: Telangana Chief Secretary

Telangana Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju on Thursday (October 15, 2026) said that the impact of El Nino weather phenomena is currently severe, which will be at the peak till February. Its impact was observed on the [southwest] monsoon and temperatures have risen by 2c to 3c.

The top official said that providing electricity would not be of help as groundwater levels have dropped significantly and directions were issued to prioritise drinking water supply. 

Speaking to media personnel during field-level inspections taken up to assess the situation of El Nino on Thursday (October 15, 2026), he said that officials of various departments have to work in coordination to protect the standing crops for the next 15 to 20 days. 

With water levels dropping significantly in Singur and Manjeera projects, he would hold a meeting with officials on alternative plans to ensure people in Hyderabad, Medak, Sangareddy, Nizamabad and Kamareddy do not face issues in supply of drinking water. 

He would speak to local farmers and residents about the government’s proactive measures to address potential crises due to the weather phenomena. 

The field-visits are taken up a day after plans were charted to supply Hyderabad (Core Urban Region) with 60 million gallons per day (MGD) additional water. As on Tuesday, 560 MGD water was available in Himayat Sagar, Osman Sagar, Manjeera, Krishna and Godavari rivers - which are sources of drinking water for Hyderabad. 

A few directions issued by the top officials on Tuesday is to ensure people do not use water supplied by Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) for washing vehicles or other wastage, use water treated at Sewerage Treatment Plants (STP) in gated communities for gardening and other non-domestic purposes.