Assam has witnessed a huge shortage of rain in this year’s Kharif season, which has created drought-like conditions in many districts. The fields have dried up and the hard work of the farmers seems to be wasted. Lakhs of farmers cultivating paddy in the state are suffering serious losses because the lack of rain and failure of the irrigation system is completely ruining their farming.
Opposition appeals to the Governor
Leader of Opposition in Assam Assembly Debbrata Saika has written a letter to Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya demanding that the drought be declared a disaster. He said that the state government should immediately declare the affected areas as drought and start relief work for the farmers. He says that if timely steps are not taken, the situation may worsen and lakhs of farmers may reach the brink of starvation.
Meteorological Department report raises concern
According to the report of the Indian Meteorological Department, between June 1 and June 16, Assam has received 42 percent less rainfall than normal. This figure is extremely worrying for the agricultural system of the state. Due to less rainfall, the fertility of the land is decreasing and the crops are drying up. In such a situation, not only this year’s crop will be affected but the prospects of farming in the future will also be affected.
These districts are the most affected
SAIKA said that districts like Barpeta, Bajali, Baksa, Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Goalpara, Morigaon, Nagaon, Kamrup, Nalbari, Tamulpur, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Sonitpur and Lakhimpur are badly struggling with drought. Here the fields have cracked and farmers are left with no option of irrigation. This crisis is not limited to crops only but is also affecting animal husbandry and water supply.
Danger of both drought and flood
According to a report of the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India, 65 districts of the country fall in the ‘very high drought risk’ category, which includes many districts of Assam. The special thing is that districts like Charaideo, Dibrugarh, Shivsagar, South Salmara-Mankachar and Golaghat have been declared highly sensitive to both floods and droughts. In such a situation, the farmers here are facing a double blow, which is a matter of great concern.
