Telangana Unveils Contingency Plan as 18 Districts Report Falling Groundwater Levels
Only five districts in Telangana received normal rainfall from June 1 to July 14, 2026. While 27 districts recorded deficit rainfall, one district fell into the 'large deficit' category. The average depth to groundwater levels in 18 districts declined in June 2026 compared to the same month last year, and further drops are predicted with 30% rainfall expected until August 2026.
Citing deficit rainfall, falling groundwater levels, low reservoir storage, and the predicted impact of El Niño, the state government released the 'El Niño Contingency Plan Vanakalam 2026' on July 16, 2026. The plan, issued by Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, offers critical recommendations for farmers.
The plan urges farmers to opt for less water-intensive crops, avoid expanding cultivation of water-intensive varieties, and choose short-duration, drought-tolerant crop varieties. It also advises harvesting rainwater and regularly monitoring weather forecasts and advisories from the India Meteorological Department and the state government.
Key suggestions in the document include contingency crops for each district, management practices for major crops to mitigate El Niño impacts, and district-specific advisories. The plan was jointly developed by the Department of Agriculture, ICAR-CRIDA, and the State Agricultural Universities.
According to the plan, agriculture in Telangana is highly dependent on the southwest monsoon, which contributes nearly 80% of the annual precipitation. 'Climate variability, especially during El Niño years, often results in delayed onset of monsoon, prolonged dry spells, uneven rainfall distribution, early withdrawal of monsoon, or episodes of intense rainfall, adversely affecting crop establishment and productivity,' the document states.
The state is expected to receive normal to slightly below-normal rainfall overall, with considerable spatial variability. Below-normal rainfall is likely in parts of the northern and southern Telangana zones.
To minimize climate-related risks, the document emphasizes district-specific contingency crop planning, promotion of short-duration and drought-tolerant crops, crop diversification toward pulses, oilseeds, and millets, efficient water management, soil moisture conservation, and timely advisories based on IMD forecasts.
Expressing concern over reservoir storage, the plan notes that most major, medium, and minor irrigation reservoirs are at or very close to their Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL). In the Godavari basin, major and medium reservoirs hold only 27.69 TMC of utilizable storage, while Krishna basin projects hold 14.81 TMC. 'At these storage levels, the available live storage is limited and sufficient primarily to meet essential requirements such as drinking water supply. Consequently, the scope for providing irrigation releases from many reservoirs is severely constrained unless substantial inflows are received during the remaining monsoon period,' the document warns.
The contingency plan aims to help farmers adapt to expected water scarcity and ensure sustainable agricultural production during the Vanakalam (kharif) season.
