Weak Monsoon Raises Drought Fears in Undivided Warangal

Below-normal rainfall linked to El Niño has affected the early phase of the kharif season in the undivided Warangal district, raising concerns of drought-like conditions if the dry spell continues.

Districts including Hanamkonda, Warangal, Mahbubabad, Jangaon, Bhupalpally and Mulugu have received significantly less rainfall than normal. The delay and intermittent nature of the monsoon, which usually brings widespread showers between late June and mid-July, has affected seed germination in areas where sowing has already been completed.

In view of forecasts indicating possible drought conditions across Telangana, the state government has stepped up measures to optimise the use of available water resources.

Farmers in mandals such as Narsampet, Parkal, Wardhannapet, Station Ghanpur, Thorrur, Mahabubabad, Maripeda, Nekkonda, Duggondi, Chennaraopet and Geesugonda expressed uncertainty over continuing paddy cultivation, citing inadequate tank storage and declining groundwater levels. Borewells in several areas are yielding insufficient water for irrigation.

In Mulugu district, farmers have sought irrigation support through the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme. Officials said steps are being taken to increase water pumping through the project in view of prevailing conditions.

Agriculture department officials have advised farmers to shift to low water-intensive crops such as cotton, red gram, green gram, sorghum and maize, and to base cropping decisions on local water availability rather than rainfall expectations.

Drinking water availability has also emerged as a concern in rural areas, with several villages depending on water tankers as borewells dry up. While supply under the Mission Bhagiratha scheme continues, villages reliant on groundwater are reporting shortages.

However, within the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation limits, officials said there is no immediate concern over drinking water supply. GWMC superintending engineer Raj Kumar said the Dharmasagar Reservoir currently has sufficient storage to meet the needs of Warangal, Hanamkonda, Kazipet and surrounding areas for the next 135 days.

Farmers and agricultural experts said the kharif season could recover if weather conditions improve over the next two to three weeks, but warned that further delay in monsoon rains may reduce the cultivated area and intensify drinking water shortages.