Govt. sanctions special funds for alternative sources of drinking water amid El Nino fears

The state government has approved special funds to ensure uninterrupted supply of drinking water in view of possible shortage due to El Nino conditions, Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Rural Supply (RWS) Minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka said on Saturday.

The government has sanctioned ₹120 million for alternative drinking water arrangements linked to Singur dam to supply Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy and Nizamabad districts, while ₹1 billion has been sanctioned for other districts to meet immediate needs, the minister said.

During a teleconference with Mission Bhagiratha and public health engineers to review the drinking water situation and preparedness, she directed officials to expedite alternative measures using approved funds and ensure that there is no disruption to drinking water supplies.

She instructed engineers to map villages where supply to the Bhagiratha mission was likely to be interrupted and areas where groundwater levels had been depleted, and to make available local water sources, including hand pumps, single-phase and three-phase water supply systems, and open wells.

In underserved homes, officials have been asked to explore leasing private wells and arrange for tankers to transport water, she said.

Emphasizing water conservation, Seethakka called for awareness campaigns on judicious use of water and the impact of El Nino at the village level and constant monitoring of reservoir levels as per government guidelines.

It also directed officials to take steps to recharge groundwater, especially in areas like Hyderabad, Medchal, Khammam and Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, which had received rain recently. Soak pits and magic pits near drinking water sources should be made functional to ensure seepage and all ongoing recharge work should be completed within two days, she ordered.

Published – 31 Oct 2026 18:50 IST