The Telangana state cabinet has formally requested financial assistance from the central government to implement contingency measures as the region faces a severe rainfall deficit.
Officials estimate the shortfall at 40 percent, a direct consequence of persistent El Niño conditions that have disrupted monsoon patterns across the country.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has directed state departments to prioritize drinking water supplies and prepare for a worsening dry spell.
The request for central aid underscores the escalating pressure on state budgets as agricultural output faces immediate threat from the weather anomaly.
This development adds to growing concerns over India’s agricultural supply chain.
The broader monsoon season has begun with significant shortfalls, driven by the same El Niño conditions now impacting Telangana.