Assam Sounds Alarm: ₹35 Crore Help Sought from Centre as Kharif Paddy Faces Drought Crisis
Assam seeks ₹35 crore SDRF funding, a new disaster alert system, and a regional NIDM campus as drought threatens paddy cultivation. Learn how state plans to safeguard farmers and build resilience.
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In a critical move to safeguard its agrarian backbone, the Assam government has formally approached the Centre for urgent financial assistance to manage a tinderbox drought situation. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta has requested ₹35 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), along with overdue funds from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund. The plea also includes proposals to establish a regional National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) centre and implement cell broadcast-based alert systems, highlighting the state's determination to reduce disaster vulnerability and protect its food-security lifeline—paddy cultivation The Indian Express+2Hub News Assam+2The Times of India+2.
Drought Indicators and Affected Zones
Assam’s monsoon this year has fallen significantly short, sparking classifications of a “drought-like” crisis in 27 out of 35 districts, such as Kamrup, Dhubri, Bongaigaon, and Kokrajhar. These regions have recorded rainfall deficits ranging from 40% to 80%, severely hampering paddy sowing during the kharif season pragyanxetu.com+8www.ndtv.com+8The Economic Times+8.
On-the-ground reports from the Assam Agricultural Department confirm that over 3.28 lakh hectares of land remain uncultivated due to the lack of rain, threatening the livelihoods of approximately 2.7 lakh farm families The Indian Express. With only 12% of farmland under formal irrigation, the state's dependence on rain during the kharif season has left it highly vulnerable asdma.gov.in+13The Indian Express+13The Times of India+13.
Economic and Social Fallout
Paddy is Assam’s staple crop—contributing over 80% of annual rice cultivation The Times of India+2The Indian Express+2The Times of India+2. A delay in transplantation risks lower yields, threatening not just farm incomes but also food security and downstream industries. As local students' groups recently protested in Dibrugarh, they highlighted failures in irrigation systems and warned of an impending food crisis if planting is disrupted The Times of India.
The impact could ripple across related sectors—from fertilizers and machinery to transport—creating a downturn in rural economies that depend on timely sowing and procurement cycles.
Assam’s Proposal: ₹35 Crore for Response and Resilience
Minister Mahanta has submitted comprehensive proposals to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, including:
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₹35 Crore from SDRF: For immediate relief—seed distribution, farmer compensation, and revival of irrigation facilities in affected districts NorthEast Now+3The Indian Express+3The Times of India+3Press Information Bureau+9Hub News Assam+9The Times of India+9.
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Release of Pending Mitigation Funds: Funds under the SDRM Fund are crucial for strengthening both current and long-term response systems Hub News Assam+1The Times of India+1.
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NIDM Regional Campus: Training disaster managers in Assam and nearby states to build long-term capacity The Times of India+3Hub News Assam+3nidm.gov.in+3.
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Cell Broadcast Alert System: SMS-based warnings sent directly to phones for drought warnings and other emergencies Hub News Assam.
This ₹35 crore package aligns with the World Bank-supported Assam Integrated River Basin Management Program implemented by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) The Times of India+2asdma.assam.gov.in+2The Times of India+2.
Past Disasters and Infrastructure Challenges
Assam’s terrain is disaster-prone; in 2020, massive floods destroyed agriculture across 30 districts and displaced millions Wikipedia. The same infrastructure that amplifies flood risk also hampers drought response. Previous initiatives, such as enhanced flood-mitigation mapping launched by Home Minister Amit Shah in June, focus on flood control, but drought remains largely underprioritized The Times of India+3Guwahati Plus+3The Times of India+3.
The drought has now prompted cabinet approval to treat the crisis as a state-specific disaster, enabling SDRF-dependent relief in five western districts—Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Barpeta, Bongaigaon and Baksa—and providing a framework for possible expansion across Upper Assam X (formerly Twitter)+7The Economic Times+7The Times of India+7.
Expert Opinion and Adaptation Measures
Experts caution that Assam’s reliance on rain for 88% of its farmland is untenable in a changing climate The Times of IndiaThe Indian Express. Resistance to early transplantation, erratic rainfall, and defunct canals compound vulnerabilities. Agricultural meteorologists recommend expanding irrigation, introducing drought-resistant paddy varieties (like CR Dhan 801), and exploring direct-seeded rice methods to reduce water demand The Times of India.
These measures, if integrated with policy, could bolster resilience. But such structural improvements require significant investment and systemic coordination, which the proposed NIDM cohort and alert system could facilitate.
Government Accountability and Citizen Response
Public outrage has grown: AASU demonstrations in Dibrugarh denounced the state government for ignoring irrigation failures during crucial sowing windows Hub News Assam+1nidm.gov.in+1www.ndtv.com+1The Times of India+1. Meanwhile, Assam’s Chief Secretary and DCs have been instructed to map drought zones for targeted relief—an initiative which could allow SDRF money to flow based on need-based assessments www.ndtv.comX (formerly Twitter).
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan echoed Central support, stating the Centre stands ready to assist flood and drought-hit farmers, with customized crop variety announcements to adapt to local needs Press Information Bureau.
Institutional Innovation: NIDM Campus and Early Alerts
The NIDM’s regional campus would not only offer training but also act as a research hub, developing drought risk models customized for Assam’s agro-climatic profile. In parallel, cell broadcast can instantly inform farmers of weather shifts, government advisory deadlines, or irrigation schedules—closing a critical information gap often evident during the 2020 floods Hub News Assam.
These tools, in coordination with the flood atlas and control rooms now operational in Assam, could create a unified early warning framework covering floods, landslides, and drought.
What Happens Next?
The next steps include:
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Funding Approval: Mahanta’s list needs Cabinet and Finance Ministry endorsement.
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Assessment & Compensation: Field teams will verify crop losses by August–September and issue SDRF payouts (Rs 17,000/ha for irrigated land; Rs 8,500/ha for rain-fed) under PMFBY Hub News Assam+1The Times of India+1The Indian Express.
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Infrastructure Rollout: Early warning and NIDM frameworks require inter-agency coordination. ASDMA already possesses the technical mandate to begin integration.
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Monitoring and Review: The state will map outcomes and assist national departments in evaluating drought response effectiveness.
Conclusion: From Emergency to Empowerment
Assam’s urgent outreach to the Centre reflects a turning point—recognizing drought as a threat requiring proactive, strategic governance. By requesting ₹35 crore, emergency funding, early alert systems, and institutional capacity, the state is adopting a blueprint for climate resilience that's both immediate and visionary.
For farmers facing crop failures, the impact is immediate. For Assam’s disaster management community, this may be the beginning of robust preparedness. For India’s broader agricultural policy, it could mark a shift toward multi-hazard responsiveness—moving Assam from reactionary measures to resilience models.
