Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced that five districts in western Assam are experiencing drought-like conditions due to below-normal rainfall. The state cabinet has given in-principle approval to notify the affected districts, and the revenue department will soon issue an official declaration.

Addressing a press conference after a council of ministers meeting, Sarma said, “According to data from the meteorological department and groundwater commission, rainfall in these districts has been significantly below normal.”