A 40-year-old farmer P. Narasimhulu, said his eight acres of urad dal and toor dal, cultivated on rain-fed land in Aroor Village, Sadashivpet Mandal, Sangareddy District, would have grown to four feet by mid-July had the district received adequate rainfall.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
There are twin reasons for farmers in Telangana to be watchful of amount of water used for cultivation in the ongoing Vanakalam (Kharif) season as the State Agriculture Department has said that reservoir levels in the State are concerning and predicted groundwater levels to plummet by August this year considering 30% deficit rainfall.Telangana rainfall prediction for July and August 2026Besides, it stated prediction of below-normal rainfall as likely over many parts of the State in August, particularly over northern, central and eastern Telangana and below-normal rainfall as likely over most parts of the State in September. Rainfed and irrigation reliant cropsThe information is crucial as the expected area to be sown up to July 15, 2026, depending on rains is 48.35 lakh acres and relying on irrigation is 27.25 lakh acres. Farmers are already experiencing the impact of the changes in weather conditions and groundwater levels. To reduce the risk of climate changes on agriculture, the department has released ‘El Niño Contingency Plan Vanakalam 2026’.Current and predicted groundwater levels in Telangana districts:The average groundwater level in the State during June, 2026 is 9.46 metres below ground level (mbgl), compared to 9.47 mgbl in June, 2025. Taking into account the rainfall and assuming an overall 30% over rainfall deficit up to July 14, 2026, the average groundwater level in the State is predicted to be 10.35 mgbl in July and 11.01 mgbl in August. The documents list district-wise information on the groundwater levels — which are predicted to fall gradually in July and August.
