Officials told to prepare village-level action plans to mitigate potential El Nino impact

Special Chief Secretary (Services & HRM) and Special Officer for the erstwhile undivided Karimnagar district Benhur Mahesh Dutt Ekka has directed officials to prepare village-level action plans for the next eight months to mitigate the potential impact of El Nino conditions.

The plans should prioritise drinking water needs and assess water availability, groundwater levels, power consumption, and cultivation of alternative crops, he said, emphasising the need for awareness campaigns to discourage paddy cultivation during the Yasangi (Rabi) season. He was chairing a review meeting with Collectors and officials of Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jagtial and Rajanna Sircilla districts at the Integrated District Offices Complex (IDOC) in Karimnagar on Saturday.

Mr. Ekka stressed the need for coordinated efforts to anticipate challenges and take preventive measures. He asked officials to encourage farmers to cultivate millets, pulses, oil seeds, maize and other alternative crops to avoid potential crop losses, besides promoting water conservation.

The Collectors of the four districts briefed the meeting on rainfall, water availability, groundwater levels and other related aspects in their respective districts, besides outlining the action plans being drawn up to address the potential challenges.