Telangana CM likens El Nino impact to COVID-19 calamity, says next 8-10 months crucial

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy made a fervent appeal to farmers to opt for less water-intensive crops, irrigated dry crops, to avoid losses that are looming large in view of the El Nino situation. Steps are being taken to save the standing crop likely to be harvested in the next 20 days, but farmers should ensure that they do not go for water-intensive paddy to conserve water in the difficult times ahead.

“There is a chance of water shortages. Motors can burn down, causing additional losses. The government appeals to farmers to avoid water-intensive crops,” the Chief Minister said. He appealed to people to take up conservation of water and power as the two sectors could face difficulties in the coming days. “The next eight to ten months, till the next monsoon, are crucial. The government seeks cooperation of all sections in overcoming the calamity,” he said.

According to preliminary estimates, crops over 13 lakh acres are likely to be affected due to shortage of water on account of deficit rainfall during the monsoon season. As against the normal availability of over 450 tmcft in different reservoirs during the same time last year, all the reservoirs in the State are holding 209 tmcft water at preseni indicating the gravity of the situation.

Energy consumption at the same time touched a record 20,003 MW on Thursday as a major chunk of 33 lakh pumpsets are made operational by farmers. This was over 6,000 MW more than the 14,000 MW consumption recorded in the normal course. There is pressure on power generation too and the government is trying to overcome the shortages by buying available power at higher costs.

The situation, according to the Chief Minister, was not confined to Telangana alone and several other States were reeling under the impact of El Nino. “Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh is ready to purchase power at ₹15 a unit. But power is not available in the exchanges,” he said. The State government had therefore sought the help of the Central government in ensuring that power was made available to Telangana irrespective of the cost involved.

While taking immediate measures to provide relief to the affected sections, the government constituted a Cabinet sub-committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to evolve a concrete action plan and seek the Central government’s help in overcoming the adverse impact of the calamity.

Mr. Revanth Reddy likened the present situation to the Covid-19 calamity and said the State sought the help of the Central government cutting across political lines. “We followed whatever instructions that are given by the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. El Nino is no less a calamity and the Centre should come to our help,” he said.

The government announced several measures to be taken on a warfooting to tackle the emerging situation and overcome the adverse impact of the calamity that is set to impact people, farmers in particular. The Chief Minister convened a meeting with available Ministers and senior officials to discuss about the possible impact of the Ei Nino on different sectors and measures that should be taken to minimise the adverse impact.

The Chief Minister said the government would make use of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) for providing employment to agricultural labour. It had also requested the land owners to opt for other crops and the government would evolve steps for compensating part of losses they were likely to incur in this direction. “The government’s priority will be to provide drinking water without any interruptions,” he said.