Assam Faces Severe Rainfall Deficit Amid Climate Concerns
Significant Rainfall Shortage in Assam
Guwahati, Feb 26: Assam has recorded a rainfall shortfall exceeding 70% since November of last year, with an alarming 99% deficit since the start of January. This trend highlights an increasingly dry winter, which is becoming a common occurrence as climate change impacts intensify.
According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), 25 districts have reported no rainfall since January 1, while others have seen deficits surpassing 90%. The state received a mere 0.4 mm of rain against the normal expectation of 39 mm during this period.
The dry conditions have persisted since the second week of November 2022.
In Guwahati, there were some rainy days in early November 2025, totaling approximately 27.5 mm, but rainfall ceased after November 6. The city recorded only 0.2 mm on January 5, and has remained dry since then.
This extended dry spell is likely to have adverse effects on agriculture.
Dr. Rajib Lochan Deka, Head of the Department of Agricultural Meteorology at Assam Agriculture University, noted that Rabi crops such as rapeseed, potato, and maize are suffering from moisture stress due to the lack of rainfall since early November. The insufficient cold days and absence of rain have led to lower yields for these crops, and the growth duration for many field crops has also diminished.
He emphasized that February's rainfall is vital for tea cultivation, and the current dryness, coupled with low humidity levels, could hinder the growth of new tea flushes.
Additionally, early flowering has been observed in fruit crops, particularly mangoes and litchis.
This February has been notably warm in Assam, especially in the upper regions, where maximum temperatures have been recorded up to 7 degrees above normal on certain days. However, temperatures have slightly decreased in the last few days following some rainfall in various parts of the state.
Forecasts suggest that rainfall activity may pick up in the first week of March.