Prepare for drought-like situation: CM Naidu to officials

Amaravati: With Andhra Pradesh facing a significant rainfall deficit attributed to El Nino conditions, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to launch a comprehensive water security strategy to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply across the state and prepare for a potential drought-like situation.

Reviewing the performance of various departments at the RTGS Centre in the Secretariat, the Chief Minister instructed officials to continuously monitor rainfall patterns, reservoir storage and water availability, while drawing up district-wise contingency plans to prevent any drinking water shortages in the coming months.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that rainfall in the upper catchment areas is expected to improve inflows into the Krishna basin. While welcoming the development, Chandrababu directed officials to maximise the utilisation of floodwaters entering the Krishna River through scientific water management and advance planning.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the flood situation in the Godavari basin and instructed the administration to closely monitor changing river conditions while ensuring that available water resources are optimally utilised. Warning that deficient rainfall could also lead to a shortage of cattle fodder, Chandrababu directed the Animal Husbandry and Agriculture departments to take precautionary measures well in advance.

He further instructed officials to strengthen drinking water quality surveillance in both urban and rural areas through regular laboratory testing and public disclosure of water quality reports.

As part of the review, the Naidu also asked officials to intensify field inspections of Anganwadi centres to ensure effective delivery of services at the grassroots level.

The meeting also focused on reforms in the Transport Department aimed at simplifying citizen services. Officials informed the Chief Minister that measures such as 24-hour deemed vehicle registration, automated driving test tracks and the removal of procedural requirements like Form-5B are being introduced to reduce delays, minimise corruption and improve transparency.

Naidu directed officials to continue identifying and eliminating unnecessary regulations across departments, stressing that governance reforms should make public services faster, simpler and more technology-driven.

Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad and senior officials from various departments attended the review meeting.