Private schools launch water conservation drive amid El Nino impact in Mancherial

Private educational institutions in Mancherial district have launched awareness programmes on water conservation and climate change in the backdrop of prevailing El Nino conditions and a rainfall deficit.

Mancherial: Private educational institutions are coming forward to create awareness about water conservation among students in the wake of the El Nino pattern by hosting a slew of events.

Private schools are coming forward to do their bit to sensitize students to El Nino and climate change, reportedly following instructions from Education department officials. A renowned school conducted a rally from ZPHS to IB Chowk on Saturday. During the rally, participants raised slogans urging people to conserve water and electricity.

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Another school organized drawing and essay writing competitions over the importance of water harvesting. Other schools located in different parts of the district reportedly held various awareness programmes with the objective of promoting water and energy conservation. Private junior and degree colleges are likely to join the bandwagon soon.

Meanwhile, students had already been asked to follow certain instructions after reopening of schools on October 22 considering prevailing hot weather conditions caused by El Nino. For instance, they were advised to stay hydrated and consume water throughout the day. They were asked to stay in shaded areas.

The schools and colleges were reportedly instructed by officials of the education department to enhance awareness among the pupils about water conservation amid concerns of ground water depletion and abnormal rise in daytime temperatures caused by the El Nino pattern. They, however, did not disclose the source of the instructions.

The district recorded rainfall of 957 mm as against the normal rainfall of 1,000 mm from June 1 to October 25, reflecting a 4 percent deficit. Bheemaram and Chennur are still reeling under deficient rainfall by over 20 percent.

Farmers are forced to rely on generators and water tankers to irrigate paddy and cotton crops that are on the verge of withering due to scanty rainfall. They said that they would register huge losses in farming if the prolonged dry spell continued for a few more weeks.