Hyderabad: The state government is taking action to address the impending drought situation in 23 out of the total 33 districts, which have experienced insufficient rainfall this monsoon season. Concerned about the situation, the agriculture department has warned that things will worsen unless there is improvement in rainfall within the next two weeks.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao held a review meeting with agriculture and irrigation officials to discuss contingency plans for crops and the possibility of seeking Central financial assistance to compensate farmers. Chandrashekar Rao instructed officials to implement the contingency plans starting from August 1 if the situation does not improve by July 31.
District collectors have been instructed to ensure sufficient power supply to protect crops already sown across 50 lakh acres of land during the kharif season. They are also tasked with providing logistical support for alternative cash crops in the severely affected areas. Additionally, district collectors have been asked to create additional work opportunities under MNREGA for agricultural labourers whose livelihoods are at risk due to the drought.
A recent survey conducted by agriculture officials revealed that crops in several acres have withered after being sown due to inadequate rainfall. Farmers have highlighted their inability to sow new seeds and have urged the government to provide them with free seeds.
Since the formation of Telangana State in 2014, drought conditions have been witnessed only in 2015. In November 2015, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao declared 231 mandals (approximately one-third of the total) in the state as drought-hit and requested immediate financial assistance of '1,000 crore from the Central government after the monsoon in the kharif season (June-September 2015) failed.
The normal rainfall for the state between June 1 and July 14 this year should have been 221.2 mm, but it has only reached 174.1 mm. Among the 33 districts, 23 have experienced deficit rainfall, with 313 out of 612 mandals recording below-average rainfall.
The agriculture department has estimated that approximately 1.50 crore acres have been sown during this kharif season. However, crops on around 50 lakh acres, which constitute one-third of the total area, are at risk of withering due to insufficient rainfall.
Officials have been instructed to ensure that all irrigation systems, lift irrigation points, and borewells are functioning properly, with an uninterrupted power supply to safeguard standing crops.
