Dibrugarh, July 31: A drought-like situation in Assam is spelling trouble for both farmers and the state’s tea industry, with a sharp deficit in rainfall leaving fields parched and tea bushes under severe stress.
Planters say the impact is already visible: tea leaves are turning black due to the lack of rain and unusually high temperatures. Daytime mercury levels are soaring past 36°C, while dipping to 26°C at night — a 10-degree fluctuation that experts warn is highly damaging to tea bushes.
“There has been a 12 per cent drop in tea production in June 2025 compared to the same month last year, due to a 50 per cent rainfall deficit. In July, we’re seeing a further 30 to 40 per cent shortfall, making production losses almost certain,” said Madhurjya Baruah, Secretary of the Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA) Zone-I, which represents 265 of Assam’s 850 registered tea gardens.
Key tea belts in Upper Assam — including Panitola, Tengakhat, and Doomdooma — are among the worst hit. “It’s a double blow,” said Bharatiya Chah Parishad (BCP) Chairman Sarvesh Saharia. “Low rainfall is stressing the bushes, and the unusual heat is creating perfect conditions for pests like red spider mites, thrips, looper caterpillars, and green flies. Many gardens are already reporting serious damage.”
Erratic downpours in June disrupted soil health without replenishing water reserves, worsening the situation in July.
Planters fear that unless August and September bring steady rain, both the volume and quality of Assam tea could take a significant hit this season, dealing a blow to an industry that supports millions of livelihoods.
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