Published Oct 19, 2026 | 8:41 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 19, 2026 | 8:41 PM
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Mallu Vikramarka addresses will chair the panel.
Synopsis: Telangana has set up a Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to review drought and El Niño conditions, as the State faces a 17 percent monsoon rainfall deficit and drought-like conditions in 315 mandals. The panel will monitor the situation, direct the departments concerned, periodically recommend measures to the government.
The Telangana government has constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to review drought and El Niño conditions and recommend measures to address them, as the State faces a 17 percent monsoon rainfall deficit and drought-like conditions in 315 mandals.
The panel was constituted through a Government Order issued on Monday, 19 October by Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju. It will monitor the situation, direct the departments concerned, periodically recommend measures to the government and flag issues that need to be raised with the Government of India.
The panel will consist of Ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy (Irrigation and CAD, Food and Civil Supplies), Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy (Revenue, Housing, Information and Public Relations), Danasari Anasuya Seethakka (Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Rural Water Supply), Tummala Nageswara Rao (Agriculture, Marketing and Cooperation) and Vakiti Srihari (Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries).
K Ramakrishna Rao, Advisor and Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, will be a special invitee. The Secretary to the Government, Planning Department, will be the convenor.
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Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had earlier compared the situation arising from El Niño to a disaster on the scale of COVID-19 at a review meeting with officials on the State’s response.
Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has said that 315 mandals are experiencing drought-like conditions and urged the Union government to provide immediate assistance.
Higher temperatures have driven up electricity demand, while water scarcity has reduced hydel power generation, leaving thermal power stations to meet most of the load.
On 15 October, Telangana recorded a peak power demand of 20,003 MW, 1,455 MW above the previous financial year’s peak of 18,548 MW. The State consumed 334.54 million units (MU) that day and 337.8 MU on 16 October, almost matching consumption levels recorded in March 2026.
Between 1 and 15 October, average daily peak demand stood at 19,289 MW.
In Greater Hyderabad, peak demand reached 4,220 MW on 15 October, against 3,552 MW at the peak in October last year. The Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) said it supplied a record 228.14 MU that day.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
