Uneven monsoon rainfall hits Telangana crops and cuts hydel generation

Uneven monsoon rainfall has hit agriculture and energy generation in Telangana, leaving farmers facing losses and forcing power utilities to buy between 30 million and 50 million units of electricity each day. The Hindu reported that rainfall from June 1 to September 30 was technically normal, with an average deficit of 17%. Under meteorological standards, a deficit of up to 19% is considered normal.

However, the distribution of rain was uneven and damaged standing crops. Water inflows into reservoirs and tanks were insufficient, while groundwater levels and hydel generation also suffered. Rainfall was 38% below average in August, a crucial period for crop growth, and the reduction in water availability restricted cultivation during the Kharif season.

Kharif cultivation covered 125.85 lakh acres, the lowest extent since 2022. Paddy was particularly affected, with transplantation covering 56.80 lakh acres, the first Kharif season since 2022 in which coverage fell below 60 lakh acres. TG-Genco officials said hydel generation during the monsoon was 983.17 million units, compared with 3,707.99 million units during the same period last year.

This amounted to only 26.5% of last year’s generation. The state’s 21,500 minor irrigation tanks held 94.3 thousand million cubic feet against a combined capacity of 253.8 tmc ft. The 87 major, medium and small reservoirs held 513 tmc ft against a capacity of 1,059 tmc ft.

Power utility sources said electricity was being purchased from the Indian Energy Exchange in two-hour periods during peak demand. Farmers increasingly drawing groundwater for irrigation had driven consumption higher, but erratic supply was still causing crops to wither and contributing to daily protests.