Drought Crisis in Sarupathar: MLA Calls for Urgent Relief Measures

Severe Drought Conditions in Sarupathar

Jorhat, June 29: While six districts in Assam are currently facing flooding due to relentless rainfall, the Sarupathar constituency in Golaghat district is experiencing a starkly different issue—a prolonged dry spell has left agricultural lands severely cracked and dry.

In light of the escalating situation and the distress among local farmers, MLA Biswajit Phukan has urged the Assam government to officially recognize the constituency as drought-affected and to implement immediate relief efforts.

This request followed Phukan's visit to the drought-stricken fields, where he assessed the adverse effects of the extended dry conditions on farming activities.

Phukan stated, "The entire Sarupathar area is enduring drought-like circumstances this year. Farmers have been unable to cultivate due to insufficient irrigation water. Despite their preparations, the soil has become parched and cracked."

He expressed optimism that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's government would take notice of the dire situation, declare Sarupathar a drought-hit region, and roll out special relief initiatives for the farmers.

Phukan noted, "Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika has engaged in multiple discussions regarding the ongoing drought and has initiated urgent actions, such as distributing solar-powered irrigation pumps. I hope additional schemes will be introduced to assist the farmers of Sarupathar."

The MLA's plea comes as farmers in the area struggle to initiate paddy cultivation for the current kharif season.

Many farmers have attempted to create paddy seedbeds by sourcing water from nearby ponds and streams, but the lack of rainfall has rendered these efforts largely ineffective, leading to the drying up of seedbeds.

This situation echoes the challenges faced in 2021 when insufficient rainfall caused significant agricultural distress in Sarupathar, prompting the Assam government to declare the area drought-affected and provide relief to the farmers.

“A similar crisis occurred in 2021, leading the Assam Cabinet to declare the region drought-hit within Golaghat district. The current circumstances closely resemble that period," he remarked.

The ongoing crisis has also raised alarms regarding the region's irrigation infrastructure.

Previous reports have indicated that many farming areas in Golaghat rely heavily on monsoon rains due to inadequate or malfunctioning irrigation systems, leaving farmers vulnerable during extended dry spells.

With farmlands already suffering from cracks and rainfall still absent, farmers are increasingly concerned that the region may face a full-blown drought this year, jeopardizing both agricultural production and their livelihoods.