Guwahati: The people of Assam, facing drought-like conditions this year, have turned to the rain gods by organising 'frog marriages' and holding special namaz.
For a state where floods are an annual 'ritual', the scanty rainfall has caught many unawares, including the government. The administration was all set to deal with flood, especially after the problem was declared a national calamity last year.
The Met office, too, predicted in June that "at the worst, the north-eastern region would get average rainfall."
But the weathermen lived up to their reputation and the rain god refused to smile. All the north-eastern states, including Meghalaya, which sees world's highest rainfall in Cherapunjee, have recorded up to 30 per cent deficit rainfall so far this monsoon.
The farmers have been worst hit and being at wit's end, they have now resorted to old superstitions to appease the Gods.
'Frog marriages' have been performed in the country for centuries during drought conditions. Assam, too, is 'hosting' such marriages by the dozens on a daily basis. Altogether, five people have died due to the severe heat conditions and the people are desperate for rains.
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