Bhatti Vikramarka to Chair All-Party Meeting on Government’s El Niño Preparedness
The Telangana government has stepped up preparations to address drought-like conditions in the state amid concerns over the impact of El Niño. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka will chair an all-party meeting at the state Secretariat on Wednesday to discuss measures to tackle the situation and minimise its impact on agriculture and public life, according to an official announcement.
The meeting is expected to bring together representatives of various political parties to discuss the challenges arising from inadequate rainfall and declining water availability. The government intends to seek suggestions on ensuring an uninterrupted drinking water supply, identifying suitable alternative crops for farmers and maintaining a reliable electricity supply for agricultural operations.
The discussions will also focus on measures to protect farmers from potential losses and ensure that water shortages do not disrupt essential services. Suggestions from political parties will be considered while preparing a comprehensive action plan to manage the situation. The government is looking to coordinate its response by taking into account the concerns of different sections of society.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had declared a state of alert on October 15, describing the anticipated impact of Super El Niño as a severe disaster. He expressed concern over the below-normal monsoon rainfall, which has reportedly resulted in a considerable decline in water storage levels in reservoirs across the state.
Against this backdrop, the Chief Minister appealed to farmers to postpone paddy cultivation during the upcoming Rabi season. The appeal is aimed at reducing pressure on available water resources and encouraging farmers to consider cultivation choices that are better suited to the prevailing conditions.
The state government is also planning to seek financial assistance from the Centre to strengthen its preparedness. Revanth Reddy announced that an all-party delegation would visit New Delhi in November to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other Union ministers. The delegation is expected to seek central support to help Telangana manage the anticipated effects of El Niño.
The issue has already been taken up in the state legislature. On September 18, the Telangana Legislative Assembly adopted a resolution urging the Centre to sanction a ₹20,000 crore financial package to address the potential impact of the climatic phenomenon.