Telangana: No Need For Panic Over El Nino, Says Minister Ponguleti
Govt Unveils Drought Mitigation Plan: Reports
WARANGAL: Revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Tuesday assured farmers and the public that there was no need to panic over the possible impact of the El Nino conditions, despite forecasts of below-normal rainfall during the monsoon season. "The government's foremost priority is to safeguard farmers, ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply and mitigate the effects of deficient rainfall," he said.
Addressing a review meeting with collectors from six districts and senior officials from various departments, the minister said the government was closely monitoring the situation and would take measures to minimise the impact of a potential drought.
He directed officials from the irrigation, panchayat raj, rural water supply, agriculture and revenue departments to work in close coordination to prevent drought conditions from worsening in the erstwhile Warangal region.
The minister said senior IAS officer A. Sridevasena, appointed special officer for the erstwhile Warangal district to oversee drought management measures, would coordinate with district administrations and review rainfall deficit, groundwater levels, agricultural conditions, drinking water availability and irrigation needs. Periodic reports would be submitted to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and the Cabinet.
Srinivas Reddy said the government would prepare a report on the prevailing situation and submit it to the Centre to seek financial and technical assistance, if required. Officials said information was also being compiled in case Central teams visited the state to assess the situation.