Telangana Faces Rainfall Deficit: Can Cyclone Arnab Bring Relief? Here Are the Water Storage Figures

Telangana is facing concerns over rainfall shortages and declining water availability after a weaker-than-normal monsoon. Farmers are dealing with reduced soil moisture, while the availability of water in reservoirs and smaller irrigation tanks remains an important concern. A developing cyclone over the Bay of Bengal has raised hopes of rainfall across parts of the state. But will the expected showers be enough to ease Telangana's water stress?

Telangana records a 25% rainfall deficit

According to the Telangana government's Directorate of Economics and Statistics, the state received 619 mm of rainfall between June 1 and October 26, 2026. The normal rainfall for the period was 824.2 mm, leaving a deficit of approximately 25%.

Rainfall has also been uneven across the state. While some areas have received intermittent showers, others continue to face dry conditions. Lower soil moisture can increase the need for irrigation and put additional pressure on borewells and local water sources.

What are the reservoir storage figures?

According to government figures reported for October 22, Telangana's 87 reservoirs held a combined 470.55 TMC of water against a total storage capacity of 1,059 TMC.

The report also placed the water stored in minor irrigation tanks at 93.51 TMC as of October 9. These figures do not mean that water is equally available in every district. Local availability depends on individual reservoir levels, releases, irrigation requirements and the condition of nearby water bodies.

When could the cyclone bring rain?

The India Meteorological Department's information issued on October 26 indicated that Cyclone Arnab was expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. Its influence could bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to several Telangana districts on that day.

Media reports said warnings had been issued for districts including Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam, where isolated extremely heavy rainfall was possible. Heavy to very heavy rain was also forecast in parts of Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda and Suryapet. Hyderabad was expected to receive moderate rainfall.

Forecast tracks and rainfall intensity can change, so residents should follow the latest district-level IMD bulletins and local administration advisories.

Will the cyclone solve Telangana's water shortage?

The expected rainfall could improve soil moisture, provide temporary relief to rain-fed crops and replenish some local ponds and smaller water bodies.

However, heavy rain over a short period does not automatically translate into a major increase in reservoir storage. The outcome depends on where the rain falls, its duration and intensity, and how much water reaches the catchment areas feeding the Krishna and Godavari river systems.

Some rainwater may flow quickly into streams and drains rather than being stored. Sustained replenishment of major reservoirs requires sufficient rainfall over wider catchment areas, including regions upstream of Telangana.

What should farmers and residents do?

• Farmers should check local weather advisories before scheduling field operations.

The bottom line: Cyclone Arnab could provide temporary rainfall relief to parts of Telangana. But resolving the state's wider water concerns will depend on the distribution of rainfall and sustained inflows into reservoirs across the Krishna and Godavari basins.