Situation could aggravate if rainfall remains deficient, says Irrigation Minister - The HinduPublished - August 20, 2026 09:37 pm IST - HYDERABADFarmers in Telangana were cautioned, once again, to be judicious in planning crops as rainfall deficit continues. Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy cautioned on Thursday that the situation could aggravate if rainfall remains deficient during September and October.Referring to the outlook for the remaining monsoon period, the Minister said that indications of deficient rainfall during the next two months had to be factored into agricultural and water-management decisions. The continuing rainfall deficit affected inflows into major reservoirs, including Nagarjuna Sagar, making prudent management of the available water essential.The Irrigation Minister said the government would maintain a judicious balance between irrigation and drinking-water requirements. The present rainfall situation demonstrated the need for a two-pronged approach — accelerating permanent irrigation infrastructure while conserving and carefully allocating the water presently available.“El Niño is a global climatic phenomenon. It is not something confined to Huzurnagar, Suryapet district or Telangana. We have to understand the larger climatic conditions and plan according to the water actually available to us,” Mr. Reddy said, after reviewing irrigation works and the prevailing water situation in Suryapet district on Thursday. He took stock of progress in the works on Mahatma Gandhi Muktyala Branch Canal Lift Irrigation Scheme, which is designed to strengthen irrigation security in areas dependent on the Krishna system.The project would provide irrigation to about 53,000 acres across Mattampalli, Mellacheruvu and Chintalapalem mandals, benefiting nearly 19,297 families, as per a press note. Published - August 20, 2026 09:37 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }