World · India Bureau
Telangana Farmers Depend on Water Tankers as Severe Drought Grips State
Telangana is grappling with an acute water shortage as the state recorded a 95% rainfall deficit in early October, forcing farmers to increasingly rely on purchased water supplies to protect their crops.
LSN India ·
Farmers across Telangana are turning to water tankers as a severe dry spell threatens agricultural output, with the state experiencing significantly below-normal precipitation this season. According to data from the India Meteorological Department, Telangana received just 3.5 mm of rainfall between October 1 and 21, compared to the normal average of 75.6 mm for the period—representing a critical 95% deficit.
The acute moisture shortage has left many cultivators with limited options to sustain their crops during a critical growing phase. With groundwater levels depleting and natural precipitation failing to materialize, farmers have been forced to procure water through commercial tanker services, adding significantly to their input costs at a time when agricultural margins are already under pressure.
The rainfall deficit underscores the vulnerability of Telangana's agricultural sector to erratic weather patterns. The state's dependence on monsoon and post-monsoon precipitation makes such dry spells particularly damaging, affecting both irrigated and rain-fed farming regions. Agricultural officials have expressed concern over potential crop losses if the dry conditions persist in the coming weeks.
Farmers and agricultural experts are calling for intervention from state authorities to provide relief measures, including subsidized water supplies and credit facilities, to help the farming community navigate the current crisis.