As a severe winter chill settles over Upper Assam, the Dibrugarh University (DU) NSS Post Graduate Unit and NSS Cell organised a humanitarian cloth donation drive on Tuesday. The initiative targeted the vulnerable worker community of Barbaruah Tea Estate, providing essential winter wear to approximately 200 men, women, and children struggling against the plummeting temperatures.
The drive comes in response to a sharp and consistent drop in night temperatures across the district. According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dibrugarh has been experiencing a rigorous cold spell over the past week. The mercury reached a season-low of 7.8°C on December 14, the coldest night recorded this year.
The temperature trend in the city has been consistently low: on December 15, the mercury stood at 8.3°C; on December 13, it was 7.9°C; and between December 9 and 12, the temperature fluctuated between 8.5°C and 8.6°C. These single-digit figures have brought a harsh edge to the December air, particularly affecting those in rural settlements and tea estate quarters.
The distribution program was spearheaded by Jitu Bora, Program Officer of the NSS PG Unit, and Himadri Barman, Assistant Programme Coordinator of the NSS Cell. Volunteers distributed a variety of warm garments, including sweaters, jackets, and blankets, specifically focusing on the elderly and young children who are most susceptible to respiratory issues during such weather.
“The sustained cold has been particularly harsh on outdoor workers with limited resources. We recognised an urgent need to help our neighbouring tea garden community cope,” said Jitu Bora, Program Officer of the NSS PG Unit.
Himadri Barman, Assistant Programme Coordinator of the NSS Cell, stated, “This embodies the NSS spirit—serving the community when needed most. We hope this offers some comfort against the cold.”
Meteorological forecasts predict continued low temperatures across Upper Assam, exacerbating challenges for communities often lacking adequate winter gear.
