Uttam Urges Careful Crop Planning Amid Rainfall Deficit Due to El Nino
During the visit, the minister inspected construction works of a Young India Integrated School at Gaddipally, stating that the project aims to provide quality education and residential facilities to rural students. He said the works would be completed by 2027.
Nalgonda: Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday said the state government would adopt efficient water management practices to address a possible rainfall deficit due to the El Nino effect.
Speaking after inaugurating a road from Kalmala Cheruvu to Palakeedu in Garidepally mandal of Suryapet district, built at a cost of ₹4.2 crore, he said the southwest monsoon had weakened and rainfall across the country in June 2026 was 40 per cent below normal. Telangana also recorded a 22 per cent shortfall, making it one of the driest Junes in recent years.
He asked farmers to remain alert and exercise caution in crop selection based on available water resources. He advised them to follow the agriculture department’s guidance for the kharif season, monitor weather conditions and opt for crops that require less water in areas facing uncertainty.
The minister stressed the need for judicious use of water in reservoirs and prioritising drinking water over irrigation if the deficit persists. He said efficient water management would be critical in such a scenario and expressed confidence that with planning and cooperation from farmers, the agriculture sector would manage the situation.
“As a large part of the Godavari basin lies in Maharashtra, deficient rainfall there has delayed inflows into Telangana. The State government is closely monitoring rainfall and reservoir levels and will take necessary decisions based on the evolving situation. It will also take all possible measures to mitigate the impact of dry weather conditions,” he averred.
He reiterated that the government was monitoring inflows and would implement measures to ensure efficient use of available water.
Listing welfare measures, he said Telangana had recorded high paddy yield and procurement levels, and that a Rs 500 bonus per quintal for fine rice varieties had benefited farmers, along with Rythu Bharosa.
During the visit, the minister inspected construction works of a Young India Integrated School at Gaddipally, stating that the project aims to provide quality education and residential facilities to rural students. He said the works would be completed by 2027.
He also reviewed construction of a Government Junior College building being taken up at Rs 7.25 crore and a Government Degree College building at Rs 4.50 crore in Huzurnagar, besides inspecting the R-9 lift irrigation scheme at Munagala.
Kodad MLA N. Uttam Padmavathi and district collector Tejas Nandanlal were present.