Revanth Reddy, Telangana’s chief minister, called on farmers to postpone one paddy cycle on Oct 15, after state reservoirs fell to 200 TMC from the usual 462 TMC.
The warning comes as the El Nino event, described by Reddy as unprecedented, has slashed water levels—Krishna basin reservoirs are 72 % below last year, Godavari basin 42 % lower—and pushed daily power demand past 20,000 MW, a 33 % rise from the normal 15,000 MW.
Earlier this month, 13 lakh acres had already been spared from paddy cultivation, but 53 lakh acres still lie under the crop, leaving farmers exposed to financial losses and threatening the state’s drinking water supply. A farmer in Jagtial, Ramesh, said he feared losing his livelihood if he continues.
Reddy urged households to "Save Water, Save Power", and announced that the government would back affected laborers through the VB‑G RAM G scheme, while former chief secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao would serve as nodal officer for El Nino information.
The government plans an all‑party meeting after Dasara to coordinate relief and decide how to manage irrigation and drainage for the 2027 monsoon; the meeting is slated for Nov 18.