Telangana Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju on Monday (October 19, 2026) directed officials to chart micro level contingency plans to prevent drinking water and electricity shortages in view of El Niño effect.

At a video conference held by the top official on Monday (October 19, 2026) on the prevailing conditions due to the weather phenomena and measures being taken in erstwhile districts, officials discussed groundwater levels, levels in reservoirs, electricity generation, alternative options to earn livelihood for people and other subjects.

Although electricity generation in the State has not been encouraging, the government is continuing to supply power for agricultural and domestic requirements. The Chief Secretary said that power cuts were not being imposed on industries and asked management of the units not to worry. Officials were directed to take all necessary measures to ensure maximum electricity generation at all thermal power stations.

Permission only to deepen existing borewells for drinking water

Special Chief Secretary to the government, Jayesh Ranjan said that permission to drill new borewells in Hyderabad should not be granted for construction or other activities. He said that currently, the permission is being granted only to deepen existing borewells exclusively for drinking water requirements. The senior official said that treated water from Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) would be supplied to construction sites in the city through dial-a-green water tanker service.

Special Chief Secretary, Vikas Raj said that groundwater levels in Rangareddy district were declining significantly and alternative plans were being implemented to ensure that there would be no shortage of drinking water.

Palair reservoir needs to have 4 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water to provide drinking water to Mahabubabad, Khammam and Suryapet districts until June. However, it now has only 2 tmcft, said Anudeep Durishetty, Special Officer for Khammam district.