Bhatti Vikramarka calls for judicious use of water and electricity amid El Nino fears

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Saturday called for joint efforts to conserve water and electricity amid dry weather and rising energy demand, urging opposition parties to put aside political differences and deal with new challenges related to El Nino. .

Addressing the media at Kodumur in Chintakani mandal of Khammam district, he appealed to the opposition to rise above political differences and recalled joint efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy reviewed the situation and set up a cabinet sub-committee to deal with the issues, he said.

Mr. Vikramarka said the peak power consumption has increased from 6,648 MW at the time of Telangana’s formation in 2014 to the current 20,018 MW. Daily electricity consumption increased from 245.35 million units in October last year to 335.05 million units in October this year, an increase of about 37%.

According to him, the expansion of the transmission infrastructure and the construction of new substations are helping the state manage the growing demand. However, declining reservoir levels have affected hydropower generation, which normally supplies around 3,500 MW during peak night hours.

Of the nearly three million agricultural pump sets in the state, about 1.5 million were reportedly facing groundwater scarcity. He urged farmers in areas with insufficient ground water to avoid running engines to avoid damage to pumps and transformers.

The state’s major water reservoirs, with a combined capacity of 470.22 TMC, held only 178.60 TMC of water, while nearly 40% of its 44,034 reservoirs were filled to less than one-fourth of their capacity.

Mr Vikramarka said the government would prioritize water conservation while protecting the livelihoods of farmers, laborers and rural communities.

Published – 24 October 2026 21:00 IST