Archive · 19 Jul 2026
El Nino Dries Mid Manair Reservoir, Threatens Crops
A big water storage place called Mid Manair Reservoir in Telangana, India, has very little water left.
This is because it hasn't rained much, and the weather is very hot.
Farmers are worried because their crops like cotton, maize, and rice are drying up.
The water under the ground is also going down fast.
Officials are telling farmers to grow different kinds of crops that need less water.
Everyone is hoping for rain to help the crops grow again.
Mid Manair Reservoir's water level has dropped to 7.44 TMC from its 27.55 TMC capacity due to El Nino and dry conditions.
Groundwater levels have declined by 2 meters in Rajanna Sircilla district and 3 meters statewide.
Farmers are struggling with drying crops like cotton, maize, and paddy due to lack of water.
Paddy cultivation has been delayed, and some fields have developed cracks due to water scarcity.
Agriculture officials are advising farmers to switch to water-efficient crops like pulses and rain-fed crops.
- Who
- Farmers in Rajanna Sircilla district, Telangana
- What
- Declining water levels in Mid Manair Reservoir and groundwater due to El Nino, affecting agriculture
- When
- June-July 2024, with concerns extending to August
- Where
- Rajanna Sircilla district, Telangana, India
- Why
- Prolonged dry spell and El Nino conditions reducing water availability and impacting crop growth
- Reservoir Capacity
- 27.55 TMC
- Current Storage
- 7.44 TMC
- Dead Storage Level
- 1 TMC
- Groundwater Decline
- 3 meters (statewide), 2 meters (Rajanna Sircilla)
- Affected Crops
- Cotton, maize, green gram, turmeric, paddy
- Alternative Crops Suggested
- Pulses (green gram, black gram, red gram), rain-fed crops