Post-flood paddy fields in Nazira hit by pest attack, farmers seek urgent help

NAZIRA, September 12, 2026 — Farmers in Nazira Co-District of Sivasagar district are facing a fresh crisis as a severe pest infestation has affected large areas of paddy fields that were replanted following the devastating floods of July 19. Farmers have alleged that the Agriculture Department has so far failed to take adequate measures to control the outbreak.

The catastrophic flood that hit Sivasagar, Jorhat and Charaideo districts on July 19 caused extensive damage to agricultural land. In Nazira Co-District, rising waters of the Dikhow, Dorika and several other rivers inundated paddy fields, destroying newly planted seedlings and leaving farmers devastated.

Despite suffering heavy losses, many farmers refused to give up. With seedlings received as flood relief from well-wishers and others arranged on their own, they replanted their fields, hoping to harvest a fresh crop and rebuild their livelihoods.

However, that hope is now under threat. As the second crop began growing, large numbers of sur-poka (paddy pests/caterpillars) reportedly began attacking the fields. Farmers said the pests are rapidly damaging the growing rice plants, causing widespread losses across agricultural areas.

The situation is particularly serious at Rauna field in the Shimaluguri area, one of the largest agricultural fields in the Nazira region. The floodwaters of the Dikhow River deposited huge quantities of silt across the farmland, making cultivation extremely difficult. In some areas, the deposited silt was reportedly several feet deep.

Many farmers, already traumatised by the destruction caused by the July flood, could not afford to cultivate their fields again. Nevertheless, a large number took the risk, overcame the challenges posed by the heavy silt deposits and replanted paddy in the hope of producing a new crop.

The recent pest infestation has now dealt another blow to those efforts.

Farmers in the area said vast stretches of the Rauna field have been affected by the pest attack. They are urgently seeking intervention from the Agriculture Department, but alleged that no effective measures have yet been taken to contain the infestation.

With another crop failure looming, the affected farmers have urged the Agriculture Department to immediately conduct a field inspection, identify the pest responsible for the damage and arrange appropriate control measures, including necessary pesticides and technical assistance.

The farmers have appealed to the authorities to act without delay to prevent further damage and provide assistance to those who have already suffered enormous losses in the July 19 floods.