Bhatti Vikramarka sets October 31 deadline for Telangana drought action plans

Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka directed officials to prepare comprehensive, department-wise Telangana drought action plans to address the anticipated impact of El Niño and drought conditions. He also set October 31 as the deadline to identify and declare drought-affected mandals.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee took these decisions at its first meeting at the Secretariat on Friday. It also decided to convene an all-party meeting shortly to discuss El Niño and the prevailing drought situation in Telangana.

The proposed plans will cover drinking water, irrigation, uninterrupted power supply, agricultural support and rural employment. Accordingly, Bhatti Vikramarka asked departments to coordinate their preparations and plan for possible shortages.

The committee was formed to review drought and El Niño conditions and recommend mitigation measures. During Friday’s meeting, members assessed the likely impact across different parts of the state. They also reviewed water availability, farmer relief and the administrative response required.

Telangana drought action plans to prioritise water and farm support

Bhatti Vikramarka instructed officials to assess drought conditions scientifically. He asked them to identify mandals that qualify for drought-affected status under the prescribed guidelines. Officials must complete this process by October 31.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the government’s priority was to minimise the impact of drought. Therefore, he called on all concerned departments to coordinate their efforts and deliver timely assistance to vulnerable communities.

The Telangana drought action plans will address essential public needs in the coming months. These include drinking water supplies, irrigation requirements and reliable electricity. In addition, the plans will cover agricultural assistance and rural employment.

Bhatti Vikramarka emphasised advance preparation rather than a delayed response. He directed departments to work together and ensure that people receive necessary support on time. These measures aim to reduce hardship as drought conditions emerge.

The committee also agreed to hold an all-party meeting shortly to discuss El Niño and the state’s drought situation. Officials must identify eligible drought-affected mandals by October 31.