Full Breakdown
Telangana confronts El Niño-driven water and power crisis
By Drooid · · How we work
Government response to the emerging drought
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has mobilised a multi-pronged response to El Niño-related shortages. A Cabinet sub-committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka will monitor water levels, electricity demand and relief measures. The administration appointed K Ramakrishna Rao as a nodal officer on El Niño and will set up a toll-free helpline for grievances. To protect livelihoods, a four-month daily-employment scheme for rural workers will run from after Sankranti until the end of May.
Background & Context
El Niño conditions, projected by the United Nations to affect nearly 100 countries, have already produced drought-like weather in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and parts of the United Kingdom. Telangana’s leadership warned in early October that the next eight months would be critical for water and power security, urging cooperation as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data & Statistics
- Reservoirs: Combined capacity 470.22 TMC; water on hand 178.60 TMC (?38 %).
- Tank storage: Nearly 40 % of the state’s 44,034 tanks hold less than one-fourth of capacity.
- Agricultural pumps: Out of 30 lakh pump sets, 15 lakh have dried up.
- Power demand: Peak demand has risen from 6,648 MW in 2014 to about 20,000 MW now, a 37 % increase in daily electricity consumption (from 245.35 million units in October 2025 to 335.05 million units this October).
Official Statements & Responses
The Chief Minister said drinking-water supplies must be safeguarded while irrigation will be limited to rain-fed crops and vegetables. He urged farmers to avoid operating motors in groundwater-short areas to protect pumps and transformers. The sub-committee will continuously monitor reservoir levels and power availability, and an app will be installed on representatives’ phones to track village visits. The government seeks a special INR20,000-crore package from the Centre to fund water-conservation and employment initiatives.
Criticism & Opposition
Manne Krishank, former corporation chairman and senior Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader, accused the Congress-led administration of “severe governance failure” and of diverting attention from “acute water shortage” and “massive power cuts” by attacking former chief minister K. C. Rao. He claimed the previous BRS government had ensured uninterrupted agriculture during the COVID-19 lockdown, whereas the current administration had not purchased sufficient electricity or formulated a proactive plan.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Leaders should educate farmers about the drought through Rythu Vedikas across the state. Special centres would be established in villages to provide fodder and drinking water for cattle, and additional workdays would be created under the employment guarantee scheme.” — The Chief Minister
Timeline
- Oct 10 (scheduled): First high-level meeting on El Niño preparedness.
- Oct 15 (scheduled): Follow-up to refine the action plan for drinking water, irrigation and power supply.
- Oct 23 (scheduled): Review meeting at Praja Bhavan with Deputy CM Vikramarka and ministers.
- Oct 24 (scheduled): Announcement of the four-month employment scheme.
- Oct 25 (occurred): BRS leader Manne Krishank criticised the government’s handling of water and power shortages.
- Nov 1 (scheduled): Congress leaders to protest the Special Intensive Revision process in Delhi, as called for by the Chief Minister.
What’s Next
The sub-committee will submit a comprehensive action plan within two weeks, and the employment scheme is expected to commence shortly after Sankranti. The nodal officer will coordinate media outreach and the toll-free grievance line. Monitoring of reservoir levels and power demand will continue daily, with updates through televised briefings and social-media channels.