HYDERABAD, OCTOBER 19, 2026: Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju directed officials to prepare micro-level contingency plans to prevent drinking water and electricity shortages due to the effects of El Niño.
He conducted a video conference with senior officials appointed by the government to oversee the situation in the erstwhile districts of Telangana and reviewed the prevailing conditions in view of El Niño.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary stated that the state government had already prepared department-wise contingency plans to address the severe conditions expected due to El Niño and was issuing appropriate instructions from time to time. He emphasised that similar plans should also be prepared at the grassroots level.
Although electricity generation in the state has not been encouraging, the government is continuing to supply power for agricultural and domestic requirements. He stated that no power cuts were being imposed on industries in the state and that industrial management need not worry about electricity supply.
He said instructions had already been issued to all government offices to use electricity economically. Air conditioners should be operated at a temperature setting of 25 degrees Celsius only when necessary during the daytime, while their use should be significantly reduced after 6:00 PM.
He directed officials to take all necessary measures to ensure maximum electricity generation at all thermal power stations in the state. He also instructed the five special officers specifically assigned to the Yadadri Thermal Power Station to take dedicated measures to maximize electricity production at the facility.
He said that an all-party meeting would soon be held to explain the impact of El Niño. A Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting would also be convened shortly.
Electricity and Water Supply Concerns
Officials from the Energy Department explained that water was being illegally drawn from local water sources for agricultural purposes using dedicated motor pumps. This excessive withdrawal was increasing the electrical load and causing local transformers to burn out.
As water supplies from the Manjeera and Singur reservoirs were unavailable, officials said that the 110 million gallons per day (MGD) normally supplied from these reservoirs was being supplemented through alternative sources. These included 60 MGD from Mission Bhagiratha and additional supplies from the Krishna River and other sources.
Measures to Address Hyderabad’s Drinking Water Needs
Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary to the government, stated that permission to drill borewells in Hyderabad should be granted only for drinking water purposes and in accordance with established regulations. No new borewells should be permitted for construction or other activities. However, permission was being granted to deepen existing borewells exclusively for drinking water requirements.
He also said that a special enforcement drive was underway in Hyderabad to address the illegal installation of motor pumps on municipal water taps to draw excessive quantities of water. The operation was being conducted in coordination with HYDRA and other agencies to identify and remove illegal water pumps.
He announced that, beginning November 1, treated water from Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) would be supplied to construction sites in Hyderabad through green water tankers.
District-Level Preparedness
Vikas Raj, Special Chief Secretary, said that groundwater levels in Rangareddy district were declining significantly. Therefore, alternative plans were being prepared and implemented to ensure that there would be no shortage of drinking water.
Nalgonda district special officer Harichandana stated that employment guarantee works were being intensified in the district.
B.D.Ekka, Special Chief Secretary to the government, said that Karimnagar district would not face any drinking water shortage until June.
IlamBarthi stated that advance plans were being prepared and implemented in Adilabad district to prevent shortage of fodder for livestock.
Water Requirements in Khammam and Neighbouring Districts
Anudeep Durishetty, Special Officer for Khammam district, stated that the Paleru Reservoir would need to contain four thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water to ensure drinking water supplies to Mahabubabad, Khammam and Suryapet districts until June. However, the reservoir currently held only two TMC of water.
The video conference was attended by Naveen Mittal, Special Chief Secretary Energy, Agriculture Secretary Surendra Mohan, Municipal Administration Secretary T. K. Sridevi, Northern Power Distribution Company Chairman and Managing Director Varun Reddy, and the Chairman and Managing Director of SPDCL, Jithesh Patil among other officials.
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