Assam: Dispur to declare drought if there’s no rainfall by August

Our Bureau

Guwahati/Dibrugarh: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today hinted that if there is not sufficient rainfall by August, the government will announce a drought in the state. A report from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Guwahati, stated that till July 23, Assam received 42% less than normal rainfall in this monsoon season.

A drought-like situation has been prevailing in a number of districts in the state, and farmers are most affected by the lack of sufficient rainfall, as they have been unable to sow their fields. This is the time when farmers sow paddy seedlings in their fields.

Talking to the media, the CM said, "We are keeping a close watch on the drought-like situation seen in the state. Generally, farmers in Assam can plant their paddy seedlings until August. We have a paddy variety named Bina 11, which can produce rice in three months. If there is no rainfall till August, we will officially declare a drought in the state. We are observing the situation. If drought is declared, the farmers will stand to gain from the PM Fasal Bima Yojana and the State Disaster Response Fund."

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora today said, "Recently, I visited New Delhi and met with the Union Agriculture Minister. We informed him of the drought-like situation that has emerged in the state. We also sought financial assistance from the Centre."

According to an RMC Guwahati report, from June 1 to July 23 (monsoon season), Assam received 433.7 mm of rainfall, against the normal of 752.2 mm. This was 42% less than normal rainfall. In the past week, ending on July 23, the departure from the normal was -57%. In this week, Assam received 42.5 mm of rainfall, against the normal of 98.9 mm.

In a report of the IMD, it was stated that from June 1 to July 25, 2025, 10 districts out of the 35 districts in Assam received 'large deficient' rainfall. In the context of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), 'large deficient rainfall' refers to a situation where the actual rainfall received in a specific region is significantly lower than the normal or expected rainfall for that area, specifically 60% to 99% below normal.

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