Rainfall deficit hits 17 districts in Telangana, raises Kharif concerns

Rainfall deficit hits 17 districts in Telangana, raises Kharif concerns

HYDERABAD: More than half of Telangana’s districts are already facing rainfall stress less than a month into the south-west monsoon season, raising concerns over kharif sowing in rain-fed regions even as the Centre has flagged hundreds of districts across the country as vulnerable to weather-related agricultural disruptions. The shortfall is evident across a large part of the state. Of the 33 districts, 17 have reported deficient or largely deficient rainfall, while only three have recorded excess rainfall so far this season. According to the latest data from the state planning department, Telangana received 84.9 mm of rainfall between June 1 and June 24 against the normal 101.7 mm, leaving the state with a rainfall deficit of 17%. The worst-affected districts are Siddipet and Hanumakonda, which have slipped into the largely deficient category with rainfall deficits of 66% and 75%, respectively. Another 15 districts are classified as deficient. Warangal has recorded a deficit of 58%, followed by Nizamabad (57%), Mahabubabad (53%), Jagtial (51%), Jangaon (48%), Karimnagar and Rajanna Sircilla (44% each), Nirmal (42%), Adilabad (40%), Medak (37%), Yadadri Bhuvanagiri (34%), Medchal-Malkajgiri (29%), Jogulamba Gadwal and Kamareddy (27% each), and Mancherial (21%). The situation is particularly significant because several of these districts form part of Telangana’s agricultural belt, where farmers typically begin sowing operations with the onset of monsoon rains. Agricultural experts say prolonged dry spells during the early stages of the season can delay sowing and affect crop establishment, especially in rain-fed areas. Only three districts — Rangareddy, Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda — have reported excess rainfall, with surpluses of 57%, 31% and 26%, respectively. Thirteen districts are currently in the normal rainfall category. The uneven distribution of rainfall is evident from district-level data. While parts of north and eastern Telangana have witnessed intense localised showers, large stretches elsewhere remain dry. Mulugu recorded the highest rainfall in the state during the last 24 hours at 104.5 mm, while Jainoor in Kumuram Bheem district received 65.4 mm. The rainfall stress in Telangana comes against the backdrop of the Centre’s review of monsoon preparedness across the country. According to the Centre, nearly 40% of India’s districts have been identified as vulnerable to low rainfall and inadequate irrigation, with 111 districts categorised as ‘most vulnerable’. States have been asked to prepare district-specific contingency plans to minimise crop losses in the event of prolonged dry conditions. Officials point out that Telangana’s overall rainfall deficit remains within the normal range at the state level. However, the district-wise picture reveals a growing regional imbalance, with more than half the districts already facing deficient rainfall and several key agricultural districts reporting shortfalls of over 40%. With July accounting for the largest share of monsoon rainfall and sowing activity expected to gather pace over the next few weeks, weather conditions during the coming fortnight are likely to determine whether the current deficit narrows or develops into a more serious challenge for the state’s kharif season, said weather expert Y Ramesh. Professor Aldas Janaiah, vice-chancellor of the state agricultural university, said rainfall is expected to normalise in the coming months due to various climatic factors. “In rain-fed conditions, we have advised farmers to opt for less water-intensive crops such as pulses,” he said.