15 districts of Assam vulnerable to extreme climate events

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: As many as 15 districts of Assam are vulnerable to extreme climate events such as flood, drought and cyclones, with Karimganj being the most vulnerable.

This was disclosed in the Assam Legislative Assembly on Friday by Keshab Mahanta, the state's Minister of Science, Technology and Climate Change.

He said that this data, which was revealed in a national-level study report, has evoked concern and the Chief Minister has already initiated several steps to address the issue. He said this is one of the prime reasons why a new Climate Change wing has been added to the Science and Technology Department.

Mahanta identified the other vulnerable districts as Goalpara, Dhubri, Darrang, Sonitpur, Golaghat, Cachar, Barpeta, Kokrajhar, Tinsukia, Morigaon, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar and Hailakandi.

He informed that according to the State Action Plan for Climate Change, the annual mean temperature in the state has increased by .59 degree Celsius over the last 60 years and it is also predicted that extreme rainfall events will increase by 38 per cent.

Elaborating on the steps being taken to tackle climate change in Assam, the Minister said that a scheme – Chief Minister's Climate Resilient Village Fellowship programme – has been announced in the Budget speech, whereby 100 Fellows will undertake a study in 100 villages to develop climate resilient models specific to these villages, which could be taken up developing as climate resilient villages.

Further, Mahanta said, the government is according priority to developing solar power generation, electric-driven public transport system etc.

He said that in 2021, Assam recorded 21 per cent less rainfall than average between June 1 and July 28 – that is, the state received 625.3 mm rainfall against the average rainfall of 792.3 mm. On the other hand, many districts experienced drought in 2021, leading to a decrease in agricultural production.

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