All-party meet over El Niño today

Metro India News | Hyderabad : Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka will host an all-party meeting on Wednesday to take suggestions from parties on dealing with the prevailing drought-like conditions due to El Niño.The meeting will be held on Wednesday afternoon in the state secretariat, an official statement said.

The meeting will discuss measures to mitigate the adverse impact of rainfall deficit on farmers and other sections of society. The government will take the suggestions on ensuring drinking water supply, planning for alternative crops and electricity supply to irrigation, it said.

Terming the impact of Super El Niño a "major disaster", Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on October 15 sounded an alert over its adverse fallout in the state.He had said the state's reservoirs were facing a severe shortage of water following a failed monsoon.

He appealed to the farmers to postpone paddy cultivation during the upcoming Rabi season in view of the rainfall deficit.The CM had also said he would lead an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other Union Ministers in November to seek the Centre's assistance.

The Telangana Assembly on September 18 passed a resolution urging the Centre to provide a Rs 20,000 crore package, among others, to deal with the impact of El Niño, which resulted in a rainfall deficit in the state.

SCR steps up safety measures for Cyclone Arnab

South Central Railway (SCR) has intensified safety measures in view of Cyclone Arnab, which is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam on the forenoon of October 28 as a very severe cyclonic storm.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu and Mahabubabad, with heavy rainfall also expected in parts of Telangana on October 28 and 29. Train services may be cancelled, diverted or rescheduled depending on weather conditions.

SCR General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava reviewed preparedness, including vulnerable bridges and railway sections, patrolling arrangements, water levels and the positioning of emergency relief equipment.

Passengers have been advised to check train status through IRCTC, RailOne, NTES or railway enquiry number 139 before travelling. Updates will also be available through SCR’s official website and social media channels.