How El Niño Could Change Life in Telangana: Experts Explain the Risks
HYDERABAD: With El Niño expected to strengthen in the coming months, experts have urged Telangana to prepare in advance instead of reacting after problems emerge. They warned that the climate pattern could affect agriculture, water resources, livelihoods, power supply and food security.
Experts call for district-specific planning
Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) Director Vinod Kumar Singh said regular monitoring of rainfall, soil moisture and vegetation is essential. He also stressed the need for timely weather advisories, district-specific contingency plans and quick supply of farm inputs.
According to Singh, prolonged dry spells have already started affecting cotton crops in parts of southern Telangana. Therefore, farmers should adopt delayed sowing where needed. They should also grow short-duration and drought-tolerant crops. In addition, intercropping, soil moisture conservation and proper nutrient management can help reduce crop losses.
El Niño affects more than farming
Professor Jeena T. Srinivasan of the Centre for Economic and Social Studies said El Niño is not just a weather event. Instead, it is a socio-economic challenge that affects livelihoods, food security, migration and inequality.
She said lower farm incomes and fewer rural jobs could hurt vulnerable families. At the same time, rising prices of food, fodder, water and energy would increase the burden on small and marginal farmers, tenant farmers, agricultural labourers, livestock rearers, fishers and low-income urban households.
She added that the government should strengthen social safety nets along with climate adaptation measures. Moreover, food stocks, market arrivals and prices should be monitored closely. She also recommended strengthening the public distribution system, school meal programme and Anganwadi nutrition services to support vulnerable families during dry periods.
Scientists stress better water management
B. Venkateswara Rao, former professor of water resources at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), said repeated droughts and floods show the need for better water management. He recommended greater investment in rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, farm ponds, water storage structures and micro-irrigation.
Meanwhile, scientists from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) warned that weak monsoon rainfall could reduce water availability for farming, drinking water and hydropower generation. As a result, food prices could rise while rural incomes may decline.
They suggested giving priority to drinking water in reservoirs. They also advised improving groundwater recharge, planning power generation for lower hydropower output and promoting long-term water conservation. In addition, they warned that warmer ocean conditions could reduce marine fish production and affect fishing communities.
Government steps up preparedness
Agriculture and horticulture department officials said district-wise contingency plans are already in place. They added that the government is strengthening weather-based advisories and ensuring seed availability. Besides this, officials are promoting drip irrigation, mulching, climate-resilient farming, crop diversification and drought-tolerant crop varieties. Pest surveillance and farmer awareness campaigns are also being expanded.
