Below normal rainfall hits the tea industry in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Several districts in Assam have received below normal rainfall even when the monsoon season is at its peak.

An official at the RMC (Regional Meteorological Centre) at Borjhar here said that the districts in upper Assam which normally receives heavy to very heavy rainfall during July and August, have so far received scanty rainfall this time. Barring a few districts, the percentage of monsoon rainfall in lower and central Assam is also very less. The situation is more or less the same in the Barak Valley. The rainless condition has made the situation hot and humid in different parts of Assam.

The RMC official said there is no chance of heavy rainfall in Assam in the next 48 hours. He said global warming has resulted fast climate change even in Assam. "Normally during this part of the year, the State experiences heavy floods. But flood is missing this time.

"The favourable condition in the atmosphere might cause rainfall. We have to wait and watch the situation," added the official.

Since there has been scanty rainfall in upper Assam, the tea industry is facing a crisis. The NETA (North Eastern Tea Association) has said the tea growing areas in upper Assam (from Golaghat to Tinsukia) already witnessed an average rainfall deficit of 45 per cent from January to May this year compared to the same period last year (2019)

NETA Chairman Sunil Jallan said, "Nowadays, rainfall is highly localised and there is difference in quantum of rainfall within few kilometres of distance. In 2020, the tea industry suffered due to the lockdown and this year, severe deficit of rainfall in the early part of the season has caused havoc in tea production."

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