Staff Reporter
Guwahati: This monsoon has witnessed 'large deficient' rainfall in as many as 63 districts across the country. Of this, 21 districts in the Northeast have recorded this large deficit, with Assam having the highest of 13 districts with such deficit rainfall, making it the largest deficient state in the country in terms of the number of districts displaying this trend so far.
IMD classifies rainfall as "large deficient" when it falls significantly below the normal range, specifically between -60% and -99%. This indicates a substantial lack of rainfall compared to what is typically expected during a specific period; here it indicates the ongoing monsoon season.
Assam's people, especially farmers, have suffered on account of deficient rainfall in this monsoon season. The fields are parched, and the farmers have been unable to sow the paddy seedlings on time. This has led to concern about this year's paddy output for the farmers dependent on the annual harvest for their sustenance.
IMD's rainfall statistics for the period from June 1 to July 17, 2025, show a large deficit in rainfall in four NE states-Assam's 13 districts, Arunachal Pradesh's 3, Meghalaya's 4, and Manipur's 1.
During this period, another 12 districts in Assam recorded 'deficient' rainfall. (IMD) categorises rainfall as 'deficient' when the actual rainfall received is 20% to 59% below the normal or long-period average. Such 'deficient' rainfall was also recorded in 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
As for normal rainfall during the period mentioned, 26 districts in the Northeast received normal rainfall (within 19% above or below the long-period average). Of this, Assam's 7, Arunachal's 2, Meghalaya's 1, Nagaland's 3, Manipur's 4, Mizoram's 3, Tripura's 5, and Sikkim's one district recorded normal rainfall. 213 districts in the country as a whole have received such normal rainfall to date.
In terms of cumulative seasonal rainfall, Assam received 40% less rainfall than normal in this monsoon season, until July 16. Assam received 394.9 mm of rainfall, against the normal of 653.3 mm. It is bizarre that Meghalaya, known as the 'abode of the clouds' and having the place with the world's highest rainfall at Mawsynram, recorded the highest deficit of 54% rainfall less than normal among all the NE states. The state received 556 mm, against the normal of 1210.4 mm in this period. Arunachal Pradesh received 45% less than normal rainfall.
Also read: Assam Farmers Suffer Rainfall Shortage, Paddy Fields Parched
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