A CORRESPONDENT
DIBRUGARH: The drought-like situation in Assam has created a fear among the farmers because the severe deficit in rainfall has left their fields dry. The tea industry of Assam has been bearing the brunt of the situation.
It has been found that tea leaves are turning black due to the deficit in rainfall as well as the abnormal rise in temperature. According to planters, the day temperature soars up to 36 degrees or even more, while during the night hours, it dips to 26 degrees. This fluctuation of around 10 degrees is not at all conducive for the health of the tea bushes.
"There has been a 12 percent drop in tea production for the month of June, 2025, compared to June, 2024, as there was a 50 percent deficit in rainfall. In July, there is also a deficit of around 30 to 40 percent in rainfall, due to which it is a certainty that production will fall," said Madhurjya Baruah, Secretary of Assam Branch Indian Tea Assam (ABITA) Zone - I.
There are around 850-odd registered tea gardens in Assam, out of which 265 tea gardens are under ABITA. Bharatiya Cha Parishad (BCP) Chairman Sarvesh Saharia said that the situation was concerning for the industry. Saharia said that the situation this year had been quite challenging, especially when compared to the period up to June 2025 with the same period in 2024.
Some of the key tea-producing belts in Upper Assam, like Panitola, Tengakhat, and Doomdooma, have been experiencing drought-like conditions, which have slowed down the growth and yield of the bushes.
"It's a mix of factors. Apart from the low rainfall, temperatures have been unusually high. That's a double blow. First, it stresses the tea bushes, and second, it's creating ideal conditions for pests, especially red spider mites, which are causing serious damage in some pockets. On top of that, we're also seeing increased pressure from thrips, looper caterpillars, and green flies," he said.
June rainfall was erratic. Many areas saw sharp spells that weren't really helpful but affected the soil and plant health in a way that's now impacting the July crop. And ironically, July itself saw poor rainfall across most districts. So now, as August is about to begin, the sudden rise in temperature over the past two weeks is likely to hit both the volume and quality of the tea.
"It depends on how August and September pan out in terms of weather. If we get balanced rainfall and temperatures ease up, we may see some late-season recovery. But as of now, the industry is definitely facing a tough spell," the BCP chairman added.
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