Telangana plans statewide water conservation drive amid El Nino threat

Telangana is preparing a comprehensive water conservation plan amid the El Niño threat. Proposed measures include surveying water bodies, mapping groundwater levels, restoring check dams, curbing pipeline leakages and reusing treated wastewater to strengthen drought preparedness and protect drinking water supplies.

Hyderabad: The Telangana government is preparing a comprehensive water conservation plan to tackle potential shortages, protect groundwater levels and strengthen preparedness against severe drought conditions amid the El Nino threat.

The government already prepared a preliminary assessment of lakes, tanks, canals and reservoirs across villages, towns and cities. A detailed screening programme has commenced and is expected to intensify after Dasara, to document each water body’s storage capacity, current water availability, catchment area and pollution levels through satellite mapping, drone surveys and field inspections.

---

Groundwater levels will also be assessed region-wise and mandal-wise to identify vulnerable areas and frame location-specific conservation measures.

Official sources said they were examining water management practices adopted by Israel, Singapore and Australia, including micro-irrigation and water-grid management during droughts. The government is also working on early-warning systems and emergency action plans to address adverse weather conditions and minimise agricultural losses through alternative crops and efficient irrigation methods.

Greater Hyderabad and districts including Yadadri-Bhongir, Nalgonda, Medak and Mahabubnagar will receive particular attention to reduce water consumption in urban and semi-urban areas. Plans include community recharge pits, restoration of check dams and a centralised monitoring system to track water stocks and supplies at reservoirs, municipal pumping stations and rural drinking water projects.

The government also plans to curb pipeline leakages and divert treated waste water to industries and the construction sector to ease pressure on drinking water supplies. The proposed measures aim to improve water-use efficiency, conserve groundwater and ensure better preparedness for a potential drought.