Droughts like situation in Asom

Guwahati, Aug 25 (UNI) Asom government today officially announced that 20 districts have been hit by drought like situation getting 30 to 60 per cent deficient rainfall.

Asom government spokesman and state minister Himanta Biswa Sharma informed that on an average the rainfall in the state has been 33 per cent deficient, but in Dhubri it is nearly 60 per cent deficient triggering major crisis in the state.

The state machinery is not being able to cope up with situation for last half century.''But this time things are unprecedented'' said Mr Sharma.

The affected districts are Dhubri, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Darrang, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Kokrajhar, Dhemaji, Kamrup, Barpeta, Nagaon, Marigaon, Chirang, Baska, Udalguri, Hailkandi, Karimganj, Cachar, Golokganj, Jorhat and Kamrup(Metro).

Against the average rainfall of 1172.22 mm during the past four months, the actual rainfall is 787.75 mm, he said.

The government yesterday called a meeting and issued a notification.

The government is now considering providing large-scale employment. It has already released Rs 1.64 crore to buy diesel for the shallow tube wells while another Rs 5 crores for seeds.

Mr Sharma informed that the government would lay extra focus on the Rabi Crops this year to tide over the crisis of the farmers.

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