Telangana farmers urged not to cultivate second crop in view of drought-like conditions

Hyderabad, Oct 11 (IANS) In view of the severe impact of El Nino and drought-like conditions in Telangana, state government advisor on agriculture and MLA, P. Sudarshan Reddy, on Sunday appealed to farmers not to cultivate a second crop.

He said that the state is facing a shortage of drinking water, and electricity is also in short supply. In view of the present situation, he advised farmers not to cultivate the Yasangi (Rabi) crop.

Reddy said that the water levels in major reservoirs, lakes and tanks have fallen considerably, and groundwater levels have also declined.

He called for urgent measures to address the situation. He said that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, along with the Chief Secretary and officials from various departments, is reviewing critical issues such as irrigation water and electricity supply. Special attention is being given to the prevailing conditions across the state.

In Nizamabad district, particularly in the Singur project area, the available water is primarily being reserved for drinking purposes. Due to insufficient electricity generation in the Nizamsagar and Sri Ram Sagar projects, farmers and the public have been urged to use electricity carefully and conserve water.

The government advisor instructed officials to take appropriate measures to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supplies and prevent wastage. The Singur project is expected to have water available until December 2026, and officials have been directed to prepare plans to manage water resources effectively beyond that period.

Sudarshan Reddy appealed to farmers and the public not to waste water under any circumstances. He emphasised that officials must take strict measures to prevent the unnecessary use of water and ensure that available resources are used responsibly.

He expressed concern that the severe El Nino conditions could worsen the situation if farmers proceed with another crop without adequate water availability. He therefore appealed to farmers not to cultivate the Yasangi crop this season, considering the shortage of irrigation water and electricity.

The government advisor directed officials from the irrigation, agriculture and electricity departments, along with MPDOs and other concerned authorities, to form special committees through gram panchayats in every village. These committees should create awareness among farmers and the public about conserving water and electricity.

Sudarshan Reddy stressed that electricity generation has declined due to inadequate water in the projects and that the state is currently relying heavily on solar power. He urged farmers and the public to cooperate with the government and the concerned departments to overcome the crisis.

–IANS

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