Assam govt declare 14 districts drought-hit

Guwahati, Jul 15: The Assam Government has declared more than half of the state drought-hit, due to the lack of rain.

According to officials, agriculture activity in the state has been badly hit due to scanty monsoon rains.

A high level committee chaired by chief minister Tarun Gogoi took the decision to declare 14 of Assam's 27 districts as drought-hit, after considering all details.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting Tarun Gogoi said, the government has asked deputy commissioners in the 14 districts, to evolve an action plan for ensuring supply of drinking water, fodder, and irrigation facilities to farmers.

The meeting also instructed the relief and disaster management department to be on alert. The officials have been asked to review the damage caused to agriculture due to the dry climate.

The state government has decided open nurseries for paddy plants and encourage farmers to adopt alternate irrigation systems, sources said.

ANI