Telangana CM Revanth Reddy orders El Niño action plan ahead of Oct 12 cabinet meeting

What the chief minister announced

Telangana’s chief minister, A. Revanth Reddy, on Saturday ordered a rapid‑response action plan to address the state’s looming El Niño‑related crisis. In a meeting at his Jubilee Hills residence he told senior officials that the plan must cover drinking water, irrigation, agricultural support and electricity supply for the next eight months, up to June 2027.

Why the move is urgent

The state recorded 17 % less rainfall than normal during the June‑September southwest monsoon, according to a release from the Chief Minister’s Office. That shortfall has left around 235 mandals facing drought‑like conditions – roughly a third of Telangana’s 621 mandals. The government has already tabled a resolution in the Legislative Assembly urging the Centre to declare those mandals drought‑affected and to approve a Rs 20 000 crore special assistance package.

The plan’s key components

• Water management – officials are to ensure no drop of water is wasted, accelerate groundwater‑recharge projects and monitor crop‑water needs.
• Power supply – the chief minister warned that electricity demand will rise and said the state is ready to spend “any amount” to purchase power if market supplies run short. He also asked for temporary suspension of non‑essential, power‑intensive activities.
• Agricultural support – the plan includes distribution of quality seeds, promotion of horticulture and vegetable cultivation, and logistics for moving produce to other states. Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao stressed the need to boost oil‑palm and other high‑value crops.
• Public awareness – a multimedia campaign using cinema halls, TV and cultural troupes will be rolled out to educate villagers on water‑saving practices and the El Niño timeline.
• Monitoring hub – a “war room” and a toll‑free helpline will track the situation in real time, according to officials present at the meeting.

When the plan will be reviewed

A special cabinet meeting on 12 October has been scheduled to examine the draft plan, the drought‑assessment report prepared by Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, and suggestions from farmer organisations and experts. The meeting will also consider an all‑party committee and an additional 50 days of employment under the state’s guarantee scheme, beyond the standard 125 days.

What comes next

The Chief Minister’s Office has asked the chief secretary to compile a comprehensive drought‑impact report by the end of October, using twelve standard parameters – including monsoon rainfall, groundwater levels and crop‑stress indices. The report will form the basis for the cabinet’s final decisions and the request for central funds.

Context

El Niño, a periodic warming of Pacific Ocean waters, typically brings below‑normal rainfall to central India. While the phenomenon is expected to peak later this year, Telangana’s officials say the next eight months are critical to averting a severe water‑power crisis.

Bottom line

Revanth Reddy’s directive signals a proactive, multi‑sectoral response to an unprecedented climate challenge. By linking water, power and agricultural policies with a clear timeline, the state hopes to cushion farmers and households from the worst of the El Niño impact.