Gujarat CM reviews water security, farming contingency plan amid El Nino forecast

Gandhinagar, June 18 (IANS) The Gujarat government has reviewed its preparedness for the possible impact of El Niño, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel chairing a high-level meeting in Gandhinagar on Thursday to assess water availability, agricultural planning and inter-departmental coordination ahead of the monsoon-related weather pattern.

According to state government officials, the meeting focused on ensuring drinking water security, protecting livestock and supporting farmers through contingency planning, with senior representatives from the agriculture, irrigation, water supply, Narmada, forest and revenue departments in attendance.

State spokesperson and Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani said the administration was working in a coordinated mode under the guidance of the Chief Minister in view of the India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s forecast regarding a possible El Niño phase.

“Integrated micro-level planning had been put in place across departments to manage potential risks related to rainfall variability,” he said.

A key decision taken during the meeting was to expand the operational reach for filling village and taluka lakes using Narmada pipeline water.

Earlier, lakes within a three-km radius of the pipeline were eligible for filling; this limit has now been extended to seven km.

The government has also instructed that more than 300 lakes across North Gujarat be filled under existing water management arrangements, while reservoirs in Saurashtra are to be replenished under the SAUNI scheme.

Officials said the review also covered the status of major reservoirs, including the Sardar Sarovar dam and other water bodies across the state, and issued directions to integrate water supply operations more closely with the Narmada network to prevent any shortage of drinking water.

In the agriculture sector, the government said arrangements for seeds and fertilisers for the Kharif 2026 season are adequate.

A contingency crop plan has been prepared to guide farmers toward short-duration, low-water-use crops, supported by scientific advisories issued by agricultural departments and universities.

The agriculture department is also using satellite-based monitoring to track soil moisture levels and crop health.

In addition, more than 50 lakh farmers are receiving real-time weather updates and agricultural advisories via an AI-enabled “Krushi Pragati” platform, delivered via SMS on mobile phones.

Regarding livestock management, the state has directed the concerned departments to maintain adequate fodder reserves and make advance arrangements in case of adverse weather conditions.

Officials stated that the current buffer stock is sufficient for up to two years. The revenue department has been instructed to remain in continuous coordination with district administrations and maintain round-the-clock monitoring of the situation.

The government also cited historical data indicating that Gujarat experienced eight Kharif El Niño years between 2000 and 2026.

Officials noted that not all El Niño years have resulted in below-normal rainfall, pointing to 2006 and 2023, when the state reportedly recorded 117 per cent rainfall despite strong El Niño conditions.

“There was no need for alarm, and citizens must follow official guidance and avoid misinformation,” they said.

–IANS

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