Unprecedented rainfall hits Assam tea production

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, July 28: Torrential rainfall in tea growing belt of North Eastern India which includes Assam and North Bengal has caused deep distress within the tea industry.

“The region generally receives 80-100 inches of rainfall on an average yearly. Huge tracts of garden land have been submerged thereby disrupting the operations of the garden in the peak production period,” said PK Bhattacharjee, secretary general, Tea Association of India.

Although the cropping pattern remained normal till July 15 but thereafter heavy rainfall with diminished sunshine is going to impact the overall July crop, he said.

Bhattacharjee said that distress calls have been made to the District Administration but assistance for the gardens in the form of dredging are awaited to save the tea garden land and the tea bushes from wilting.

It is stated that the second half of July has witnessed a deviation in rainfall pattern bordering 60 % from the normal rainfall usually recorded.

“The total rainfall in Dibrugarh till date has been 1365.72mm. In the districts of Jorhat, Golaghat and Sivsagar the rainfall received is double the last year and many gardens have been severely waterlogged,” he said.

The crop position in these districts is expected to be 21% behind over the corresponding period of last year. Dibrugarh and Tinsukia have received a rainfall of 12-14 inches more in the month of July and the crop position is expected to be down by 25%.  In the districts of Korajhar, Lakhimpur, Baksa the rainfall ranges from 22 to 23 inches and the crop is expected to take a dip in the second half of July 2016, added Bhattacharjee.

The rainfall in the districts of Sonitpur and Darrang the rainfall ranges from 7 to 9 inches. Cachar however reports of average rainfall and the cropping pattern should be at par with that of last year, he pointed out.

However, the Tea Industry both in Assam and Bengal is foreseeing grim days ahead, faced as it is with the onslaught of tural Calamities resulting in lesser crops.

Thus the Industry shall be severely handicapped in the following bonus payment.