Telangana to Seek Central Assistance to Tackle El Niño Impact: Uttam Kumar Reddy

Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy held a special review meeting at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar State Secretariat to assess the groundwater situation across the state in view of the El Niño conditions. The meeting was attended by Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries, Youth Services and Sports Vakiti Srihari, Mahbubnagar MLA Yennam Srinivas Reddy and ENC Ramesh Babu. Irrigation Department Assistant Secretary K. Srinivas, the Director of the Groundwater Department and other state and district-level officials also participated. Dr. Veerendra M. Tiwari, groundwater expert, Director of CSIR-NEIST and senior scientist, joined the meeting through video conference.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said the state would bring the El Niño situation in Telangana to the attention of the Prime Minister and seek financial assistance from the Centre to address its impact. He said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and he would meet the Prime Minister on the 15th of this month. The minister directed state and district officials to monitor groundwater levels regularly and identify areas witnessing a decline in water levels to alert the government in advance. He also called for immediate and long-term action plans to conserve rainwater and improve groundwater reserves. The minister sought suggestions from officials on water conservation measures to be discussed during the meeting with the Prime Minister.