Telangana CM warns El Niño poses severe threat as drought looms

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday sounded an alarm over the impending El Niño impact on Telangana, drawing parallels with the severity of the pandemic that struck the nation in recent years. Addressing the situation, Reddy stressed that the coming 8-10 months would prove decisive in determining the state's ability to manage potential agricultural and water-related challenges.

The Chief Minister has directed farmers to steer clear of water-intensive crops as a precautionary measure against anticipated drought conditions. The advisory signals growing concern within the government over rainfall patterns and water availability heading into the critical monsoon season.

Alongside the farmer advisory, the state administration has unveiled a series of measures aimed at mitigating the effects of El Niño. These initiatives are designed to ensure agricultural stability and safeguard water resources across the state during the challenging months ahead.

El Niño, a cyclical weather phenomenon characterised by warming ocean temperatures in the Pacific, typically leads to reduced monsoon rainfall over South Asia, including India. The warning comes as meteorological departments across the region have flagged increased probability of below-normal precipitation during the approaching monsoon season.