Telangana grapples with El Niño‑driven rains and falling groundwater

Intermittent rain is expected to continue across Telangana on July 22, with light to moderate showers forecast for several districts including Adilabad, Nizamabad and Hyderabad, where commuters may face wet roads and slower traffic.

The state’s Agriculture Department reported that groundwater levels have dropped about one metre compared with last year, a consequence of the ongoing El Niño‑induced low rainfall. An expert committee convened to advise farmers on shifting from paddy to drought‑tolerant crops such as pulses, oilseeds and millets, and to promote water‑saving practices and groundwater recharge.