Dooars, Terai Tea Gardens Reeling Under Prolonged Rainfall Deficit

Tea production in June dropped by 10% across 67 estates in the Dooars and by 6.5% in 32 gardens in the Terai

MP | 14 July 2025 | Alipurduar: For over 20 days, large parts of the Dooars and Terai regions have not received adequate rainfall, crippling tea production during the crucial monsoon flush. With rainfall levels less than half of last year’s, North Bengal’s tea industry is facing severe distress.

According to the Tea Research Association’s North Bengal Regional Research and Development Centre, tea production in June dropped by 10% across 67 estates in the Dooars and by 6.5% in 32 gardens in the Terai. Since June 24, most tea-growing belts in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts have remained virtually dry. The lack of rainfall has stalled new leaf growth and intensified pest infestations. Garden owners say that even one or two days of steady rain could significantly ease the crisis by reducing the need for artificial irrigation for weeks.

“Rain is absolutely critical. There has been no significant rainfall in the past 20 days, and gardens are suffering,” said Ram Avatar Sharma, Secretary of the Dooars branch of the Indian Tea Planters’ Association (ITPA). “Without natural precipitation, tea yields are bound to drop.”

Small Growers Struggling with Low Prices

Small tea growers are also struggling to secure fair prices. “Less rain has made things worse, and now green leaves are selling at just Rs 14-15 per kilo, while our production cost is at least Rs 18,” said Bijaygopal Chakraborty, Secretary of the Jalpaiguri District Small Tea Growers’ Association.

Rainfall Deficit

IMD data reveals that North Bengal and Sikkim received 721.1 mm of rainfall by June last year, whereas this year, the figure has dropped to only 321.3 mm. July, typically a peak monsoon month, has also seen almost no widespread rain.

Meteorological Insights

Gopinath Raha of the India Meteorological Department (Gangtok) explained that the monsoon trough, which typically brings moisture-laden winds to the region, has shifted unusually far south. “Until it returns to its normal position, North Bengal is unlikely to see sustained monsoon rainfall. What we’re seeing now are only scattered, convective thunderstorms,” he said.

Courtesy & source: Millennium Post