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TPCC chief calls for statewide water conservation drive amid El Niño
In Short
- Reservoirs hold 209 TMC against 460 TMC expected
- El Niño may worsen water and power stress
- Farmers urged to opt for less water-intensive crops
- Power demand has crossed 20,000 MW
- Congress leaders asked to identify vulnerable villages
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Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B Mahesh Kumar Goud
Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Friday called upon Congress leaders and workers to create awareness among the public about the rainfall deficit and the potential impact of El Niño on the state's water resources, agriculture and power supply. In an open letter to party leaders, cadre and the people of Telangana, he warned that declining reservoir storage, falling groundwater levels and increasing electricity demand could pose serious challenges in the coming months.
According to government figures cited by Goud, the state's reservoirs currently hold 209 TMC of water against an expected storage of 460 TMC. He cautioned that inadequate rainfall could affect village tanks, groundwater recharge, agricultural activities and farmers' incomes. Hyderabad and other urban areas could also face pressure on drinking water supplies, he said.
Goud urged farmers to choose crops based on water availability and consider less water-intensive alternatives during the upcoming Yasangi (rabi) season. He called for greater awareness of water-saving cultivation methods, weather-resilient farming practices, suitable seeds, crop insurance and government assistance.
He explained that deficient rainfall could trigger a chain reaction, with declining groundwater levels increasing dependence on borewells, electricity consumption and agricultural costs, while reducing farm incomes. Telangana's peak electricity demand has reportedly crossed 20,000 MW, he noted.
The TPCC chief directed district Congress presidents, legislators, MPs, constituency in-charges and grassroots leaders to assess water availability in their areas, identify villages vulnerable to drinking water shortages, review farmers' irrigation requirements and coordinate with agricultural officials to promote alternative crops.
He also called for village-level water conservation campaigns, prevention of drinking water wastage and prompt reporting of emerging shortages to the government.
Goud said the State government was seeking special financial assistance of `30,000 crore from the Centre and stressed the need for cooperation between the Centre and State in addressing the situation.
Appealing to people to conserve every drop of water and rely on official information, he said coordinated planning, public participation and timely government action were essential to protect farmers and ensure water security across Telangana.
