New Delhi, Oct. 24 -- Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has announced a special scheme to provide daily employment to workers for four months amid El Niño weather conditions and fears of a major drought in the state.

"The drought starting in October will last until July. Heat and water evaporation will increase, causing water issues. Drinking water will face more hardships than irrigation water. The problem starts small and grows big, creating a situation where people cannot step out of their homes," Reddy said on Friday.

According to the Chief Minister, out of 30 lakh pump sets in Telangana, 15 lakh had already dried up. Water storage in projects had fallen to less than 20 per cent of their total capacity, with some projects ...