Overview
- The Telangana government released the El Niño Contingency Plan Vanakalam 2026 on July 16, directing district-wise crop advice, seed procurement, micro‑irrigation promotion and groundwater recharge measures.
- Statewide rainfall from June 1 to mid‑July is about 35 percent below normal, with 27 of 33 districts classed as deficient and large deficits in Medchal‑Malkajgiri and Hanamkonda.
- Official water figures show only about 27.69 TMC ft usable storage in Godavari basin projects and 14.81 TMC ft in Krishna basin projects, leaving most reservoirs at or near Minimum Draw Down Level and limiting irrigation releases.
- Groundwater is already falling across many districts with a state average of 9.46 metres below ground level in June and a government projection that levels could reach about 11.01 mbgl in August under a 30% rainfall‑shortfall scenario.
- Farmers are reporting major sowing shortfalls, drilling borewells, desilting wells and delaying paddy planting in districts such as Siddipet, and officials warn that shifting to short‑duration, drought‑tolerant crops may be required if rains do not improve.