Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy: Drought threat in Telangana from El Niño, warning farmers against planting a second crop, government alerts on electricity‑water shortages.

The prevailing El Niño event in the Asia‑Pacific region is increasing rainfall uncertainty in India’s major agricultural areas.

According to data from the National Meteorological Department, this year’s monsoon is likely to bring below‑average rainfall, especially in the state of Telangana in South India.

In this context, Telangana’s Minister of Agriculture, Punguletti Srinivas Reddy, said that due to El Niño, the risk of drought in the state has reached a “very high” level, posing a serious challenge to the farming community.

He said that given the seasonal water shortage, farmers are being advised to avoid sowing their second crop (rabi or kharif) to prevent additional pressure on water resources.

The government immediately issued a comprehensive warning, outlining special measures to address potential shortages in both water and electricity sectors.