Deficit Rainfall Hits Northeast, Drought-Like Situation In Manipur

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The north-eastern region has experienced deficit rainfall with Manipur being the worst affected with over 60 per cent less rainfall than normal in the past two months.

Data available with the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) at Borjhar shows that Nagaland and Meghalaya have received deficit rainfall of 29 and 20 per cent respectively. Manipur is the worst hit with 61 per cent deficit rainfall from normal.

Arunachal Pradesh has deficit rainfall of 16 per cent followed by 14 per cent in Assam, three in Mizoram and one in Tripura.

Some of the districts in Assam have been worst affected with Goalpara recording 80 per cent deficit rainfall followed by Darrang and Dhubri (83%), Korajhar (82%), Barpeta (71%) and Morigaon (64%) deficit rainfall.

Among the regions in Meghalaya – West Garo Hills received over 60 per cent deficit rainfall, West Khasi Hills 61, Jaintia Hills 71 and East Garo Hills 47 less rainfall.

There are three Met subdivisions in the region – (a) Arunachal Pradesh; (b) Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland; (c) Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.

“One of the reasons for the deficit rainfall is the late arrival of the South West Monsoon (SWM) in the country. The SWM hit the Kerala coast on June 10, a good ten days later,” an official at RMC said.

“Deficiency in rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram and Tripura is quite normal. There is abnormal deficit in Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland,” a scientist at RMC said. He said deficiency in rainfall in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Tripura will become surplus as the States are likely to receive adequate rains in the next two months.

The scientist said rainfall activities in the region has improved with Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and the rest of the region are likely to experience heavy rainfall in the next week.

Meanwhile, a drought-like situation has prevailed in Manipur.

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