VB G RAM G drive El Nino mitigation plan in Telangana

Farm pond under Settipalli Gram Panchayat boundary in Gundala mandal, Bhadradri Kothagudem district. (file image)

The Department of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development is gearing up to mitigate the impact of expected El Nino conditions by strengthening water conservation initiatives, improving groundwater resources and creating better employment opportunities for job card holders under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB G RAM G).

According to official sources, the department will take up construction of 9.60 lakh sumps, 25,000 agricultural ponds, 5,000 seepage tanks and 5,000 borehole recharge structures in the next three months under the ‘Telangana Jalasiri’ programme. Construction of buildings for gram panchayats (GPs), village organizations (VOs) and Anganwadi centers will also be speeded up.

Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Danasari Anasuya said programs will be organized in all districts on Monday (July 20) to create awareness among people about the adverse impact of El Nino.

On the other hand, the ministry has set a target of generating 12 million person-days of employment during the current financial year ending March 31, 2027. “Of this, 4.5 million person-days are planned between July and October,” in view of the drought likely to affect agricultural operations. Although she stated that nearly 2.5 million working days per day we will direct about five officials to increase the number of working days per day. after holding a review meeting with senior officials of the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department on Sunday (July 19). She added that if El Nino conditions worsen, the target number of people per day would increase.

“Preference is given to women members of self-help groups (SHGs) who own agricultural land for the construction of ponds,” the minister said.

The action plan was developed based on forecasts indicating a drop in groundwater levels due to below-normal rainfall. The average groundwater level in the state was 9.46 meters below ground level (mbgl) in June 2026 and is projected to drop to 10.35 mbgl in July and 11.01 mbgl in August if the state experiences an overall rainfall deficit of around 30%. The highest decline in water table is expected in districts like Vikarabad, Medak, Sangareddy, Nizamabad, Siddipet and Kamareddy.

Published – 19 Jul 2026 19:19 IST