Drought-like conditions prompt Assam government action in western, upper districts

Assam cabinet meeting on Friday stated that in view of the prevailing severe drought-like situation across Assam, the Cabinet has considered it to be a state specific disaster and accorded in principle approval for extending compensation benefits to the affected beneficiaries in selected districts as per the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The cabinet has examined the situation, and the revenue and agricultural department will start providing necessary assistance to the farmer in view of the drought like situation. Tea industry is not affected till now; till this time the tea production is more than last year. However, if there is no rainfall in the coming months, the situation may be different.”

He added, “While Tinsukia and Dibrugarh district in Upper Assam experienced less rainfall, other districts of Upper Assam like Sivasagar, Jorhat and Charaideo got more rainfall than expected. As per the data from Indian Meteorological Department and Central Groundwater Board the areas which witnessed less than normal rainfall are being declared drought like situation.”


Sarma said Western Assam's five districts including Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Barpeta, Bongaigaon and Baksa are witnessing drought-like situations. These districts experienced a rainfall deficit of 40 percent. Generally, a 20 percent deficit is taken as normal. “The harvest of paddy is likely to be affected in these districts if the situation does not improve in July and August.”