Northeast Cries for Rain as Monsoon Drenches the Rest of India

Northeast India remains largely dry this monsoon, 4 out of 8 states of the region remain in the ‘Deficient’ of rain category during the peak season of 1st June to 18th July. Strikingly, the overall rainfall in India is 9% more than the normal. 

Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh—Large Deficit of Rain

Even Meghalaya, housing the wettest place of the planet is largely dry with a staggering 55% less rain than the normal. As per the latest data produced by IMD (India Meteorological Department), Meghalaya  had 566.3 mm rainfall during June1st to July 18th, whereas the normal rainfall for the state should have been 1259.3 mm. On 18th July (today) alone, Meghalaya has 84% deficient rain. 

Assam on the other hand has a deficiency of 42% during the same period. The rainfall that Assam had during 1st June to 18th July is 401.7 mm whereas the normal rainfall should have been 689.6 mm. on 18th July alone Assam suffers 83% less rain. 

Similarly, Arunachal Pradesh suffers a deficiency of 45% with only 425.7 mm of rain during the period whereas the normal should have been 778.3 mm.

The other deficient state is Sikkim with 36% deficiency having only  457.8 mm, far less than 714.1 mm in normal case. 

Non-Deficient Numerically, But Deficiency In Reality

The IMD has categorized 4 of the 8 northeastern states as ‘normal’ or non-deficient, namely Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. However, looking at the actual rainfall amount, these states too will appear to have deficient rain.

Nagaland has 4% less rain than normal—it had 420.3 mm of rain during June-July deviating from 438.5 mm of normal rainfall. Similarly, Tripura has 1% less rain than normal and Manipur has 19% less rain than normal. 
Then why are they not declared as rain ‘Deficient’ states. Explaining the matter, O Neil Shaw, scientist of RMC Guwahati told Pratidin Time—“ IMD considers normal upto 19% of deficient rain. So, Manipur stands at the brink of the normal category.”

This indicates that these states are ‘Normal’ in terms of numerical categorization only. In reality, they are also rain deficient, even though not as less as Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal and Sikkim. 

Mizoram  Only State To have 1% above Normal Rain

Mizoram apparently is the only northeastern state that had have slight more rain than normal. It had 1% more rain with 675 mm of precipitation in comparison to 667.8 mm normal. However, on  July 18th alone, Mizoram  has 77% less rain than normal.

North Eastern States To Continue With Rain Deficiency, Adding Woes to Farmers

O Neil Shaw apprised Pratidin Time that north eastern states are to continue with rain deficiency for the coming weeks. “there is very less chance that sufficient rainfall will occur in the coming week or the one after that”—he remarked. 

Notably, this is the crucial period of paddy cultivation being the peak season of transplantation of the paddy saplings. Reports of severe droughts are pouring in from various parts of the state. 
Agriculture in Assam remains largely dependent on the weather in the absence of a robust irrigation system. If this crucial period goes without rain, then large rain afterwards will have no meaning for the farmers, which complicates the scenario. 

India’s Arid States Are Wetter This Time

India’s usually drier states have received above normal rainfall this year during June-July. Rajasthan has seen 108% more rain than normal—285.7 mm rain exceeding the normal amount of 137.7 mm. 
Similarly, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana all have more rainfall than normal. 

Parts Of Southern Peninsula Drier

The southern states have a mixed pattern—Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have had excess of rain with 233%, 143% and 111% above normal. Albeit, Kerala, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicober islands had 37%, 49% and 40% less rain than normal. 

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