El Niño: Chief Minister 'prays' to farmers to save drinking water

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has appealed to farmers to forgo one seasonal paddy crop so scarce water can be conserved for drinking supplies as a super El Niño drives a severe drought. The state recorded a 28% rainfall deficit by mid‑October, reservoirs hold about 200 TMC feet against a normal 462 TMC, and officials warn drinking water could be threatened for the next eight to ten months. Reddy’s strategy is to extend existing water stocks until the next monsoon by cutting the biggest demand source - agriculture; paddy is currently sown on 5.3 million hectares while an estimated 1.3 million hectares remain fallow, and standing crops face stress under acute scarcity.

Globally, meteorological agencies report an unprecedented El Niño with Niño3.4 anomalies reaching about 3.4°C above normal and a peak headed toward nearly 4°C in December, surpassing past super events. Scientists warn impacts will differ from 1982-83, 1997-98 and 2015-16 because a warmer planet and warmer oceans alter teleconnections. Economic damage is projected to be immense: past super El Niños cut global GDP by trillions (1997-98 ~$5.7 trillion, 1982-83 ~$4.1 trillion), a century‑scale study projects ~$84 trillion lost under current emissions, and short‑term estimates put a single‑year hit near $986 billion with multiyear losses rising into the trillions. UNICEF highlights heightened risks to children in nearly 100 countries from extreme wet and dry conditions.