Telangana Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju on Thursday, 15 October 2026, described the impact of El Niño on the state as 'very severe', warning that conditions are expected to worsen and reach their peak by February 2027. The assessment came after Jaju undertook a field visit to Sangareddy district to personally inspect the effect of shifting weather patterns on water availability and standing crops.

What the Chief Secretary Found on the Ground

During his field visit, Jaju inspected water levels at the Singur and Manjira reservoirs, both of which are reporting declining storage. He noted that the monsoon has been significantly disrupted by El Niño, with temperatures rising by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal levels. Groundwater levels across the state have also fallen sharply, raising the risk of water scarcity even in areas with electricity supply for pump-sets.

The Chief Secretary held a review meeting with senior officials to evaluate the implementation of the government's contingency plans, particularly for ensuring an uninterrupted drinking water supply to Hyderabad and the districts of Sangareddy, Kamareddy, Nizamabad, and Medak.

Key Directives Issued

Jaju issued a series of operational directives following the inspection. He instructed officials to prioritise drinking water needs over other uses, given the declining groundwater situation, and urged all departments — particularly Agriculture, Electricity, and Irrigation — to work in close coordination. He also directed nodal officers to be deployed to every district, where they will function under the supervision of the respective District Collector.

Noting that the next 15 to 20 days represent a critical window for standing crops, the Chief Secretary urged farmers to remain vigilant and directed Agriculture Department officials to provide ground-level guidance. He further instructed the Electricity Department to ensure uninterrupted power supply to meet agricultural needs.

Cabinet Meeting Called to Address Crisis

Jaju confirmed that the El Niño situation and its cascading effects on water availability and agriculture will be discussed at a cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday evening. This signals that the Telangana government views the developing climate event as a state-level emergency requiring coordinated policy action, not merely administrative response.

Officials were also instructed to personally engage with farmers and local residents to assess ground-level needs and raise public awareness about the proactive steps being taken by the government.

Broader Context and What Lies Ahead

El Niño events are associated with suppressed rainfall over the Indian subcontinent, driving below-normal monsoon deficits and elevated temperatures. Telangana, heavily dependent on reservoir-fed irrigation and groundwater for both drinking water and agriculture, is acutely vulnerable to such climate shocks. The Singur and Manjira reservoirs are critical sources for Hyderabad's water supply — making any shortfall there a concern not only for farmers but for millions of urban residents.

With peak El Niño conditions reportedly still months away, the next few weeks of crop management and water conservation will be decisive for the state's agricultural and civic water security going into early 2027.