Hyderabad, Oct 15 Terming the impact of ‘Super El Nino’ as a “major disaster”, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday sounded an alert over its adverse fallout in the state.
Comparing the situation to the COVID-19 crisis, he said the “natural disaster” would impact not just humans but all living organisms.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting with ministers and officials on the impact of El Nino, he said state’s reservoirs were facing a severe shortage of water following a failed monsoon.
He appealed to the farmers to postpone the paddy cultivation during the upcoming Rabi season in view of the rainfall deficit.
The government would hold an all-party meeting after Dasara festival to seek suggestions on tackling the El Nino impact.
Reddy said the state government was expecting assistance from the Centre to tide over the difficult period.
He said he would lead an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, other Union Ministers in November to seek the Centre’s assistance.
Observing that a sharp rise in power consumption has been seen in the state, he said the power demand during October should have been 15,000 MW on a typical day but it rose to 20,000 MW which is unprecedented.
The water levels this year in Krishna basin reservoirs in the state is 72 per cent less compared to last year, while it is 40 per cent less in Godavari basin, he said.
“That means, it is a rare situation now. Either it is Srisailam or Nagarjuna Sagar, the situation is such that the reservoirs are drying up even before winter started,” he said.
The high mercury levels generally seen in March (up to 38 degrees Celsius) are being witnessed during October, he said.
Though reports indicate that crops in about 12 lakh acres may suffer damage due to unavailability of water, the officials have been instructed to ensure that the crops do not wither.
While 462 TMC water was available in October last year, only 209 TMC water is available this year (in all the reservoirs), he said.
Reddy appealed to the farmers to reduce the crops during the crop season beginning December.
He said the Panchayat Raj department has been told to step up the NREGS works.
Noting that people and also Congress workers extended support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeals such as lighting lamps during COVID-19 crisis, he said similar collective spirit should be demonstrated.
Referring to actor Vijay Deverakonda appealing to people to conserve water in view of deficit rainfall, he said the film personalities, media shoudd work to promote people’s awareness.
The government would deploy teams of cultural troupes to raise public awareness, he said.
Dismissing BRS critcism that the drought like conditions are caused not due to El Nino but by the negligence of Congress government, he asked who “handed over” Telangana’s water rights in Krishna river to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh by agreeing to 299 TMC.
“Andhra got 515 TMC,” he said.
He also sought to know why a facility has been established for transfer of water from Konda Pochamma reservoir and a canal to the farmhouse of BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao spread over hundreds of acres.
On BRS leader K T Rama Rao’s demand for a probe into imported coal, Revanth Reddy said he is ready to order investigation into the matter by an agency of the former’s choice.
He also said he is ready for debate on issues of corruption.
(PTI News)
