HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, July 31: The ongoing drought-like conditions in Assam have begun to significantly affect the state’s tea industry, with planters reporting a notable decline in production and increased stress on tea bushes due to erratic rainfall and rising temperatures.
According to industry officials, the prolonged dry spell and rainfall deficit have caused tea leaves to turn black, reducing both yield and quality.
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Planters have observed that daytime temperatures in several tea-growing regions have risen up to 36°C or more, while nighttime temperatures dip to around 26°C.
This sharp temperature fluctuation of around 10 degrees is reportedly detrimental to the health of tea bushes.
“There has been a 12 percent drop in tea production in June 2025 compared to June 2024 due to a 50 percent deficit in rainfall.
July also recorded a rainfall shortfall of around 30 to 40 percent, which will further impact output,” said Madhurjya Baruah,
Secretary of the Assam Branch of the Indian Tea Association (ABITA), Zone I.
Assam has around 850 registered tea gardens, with 265 of them under the ABITA network.
The Bharatiya Chah Parishad (BCP) also expressed concern over the evolving crisis.
BCP Chairman Sarvesh Saharia stated that the situation in 2025 has been significantly more challenging when compared to the same period last year.
“Some of the key tea-producing areas in Upper Assam—such as Panitola, Tengakhat, and Doomdooma—are experiencing drought-like conditions, which have hampered the growth and yield of the bushes,” he said.
Saharia further pointed out that the high temperatures have created favourable conditions for pest outbreaks.
“We are seeing serious infestations of red spider mites in some pockets, alongside rising pressure from thrips, looper caterpillars, and green flies,” he added.
Rainfall in June was erratic, with sharp spells that proved more harmful than beneficial, negatively impacting both soil and plant health.
July continued the trend of poor rainfall across most districts.
The sudden rise in temperature over the past two weeks is expected to adversely affect both the quantity and quality of tea production as the industry moves into August.
Industry stakeholders are now pinning hopes on favourable weather in the coming months.
“If August and September bring balanced rainfall and a dip in temperature, some late-season recovery may still be possible. But for now, the industry is going through a difficult phase,” Saharia said.
The situation remains under close watch as tea producers brace for further challenges amid uncertain weather conditions.
