Weather Update, May 30: Northeast India is just recovering from a devastating flooding episode during pre monsoon shower that killed more than 30 people in Assam alone.
As the eastern arm of the monsoon approaches the region from the Bay of Bengal, fairly widespread rain and thunderstorms have been forecast to continue under the influence of a prevailing trough.
As per the TWC forecasters, each state within Northeast India can expect rainfall amounting to 20-30mm/day during the next five days.
However, on May 30-31, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Assam & Meghalaya may witness rainfall up to 50mm/day.
As per the IMD forecast, the monsoon will enter some parts of northeast India over the next 3-4 days. If the predictions hold true, the onset may happen 3-4 days ahead of schedule for northeast India.
Also Read: Weather Forecast: Heavy Rainfall To Lash Northeast India
According to revised IMD predictions that draw on data from 1961-2019, onset over northeast India starts around June 4 — three days later than the previous normal based on 1901-1940 data.
Given the likelihood of heavy rainfall, IMD has placed a yellow alert over Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya on May 30-31 and over the entire Northeastern region from June 1-3. The weather warning urges residents to ‘be aware’ of their local weather situation.
Between May 1-30, Meghalaya (952 mm) recorded ‘large excess’ rainfall, while Assam (394 mm), Sikkim (365 mm), and Manipur (271) recorded excess rain compared to its average for the season.
The rainfall across the rest of Northeast India — Arunachal Pradesh (326 mm), Nagaland (204 mm), Tripura (392 mm), and Mizoram (316 mm) — remained normal compared to their respective long-term averages.
Fortunately, the flood situation in Assam has improved, as per the Assam Disaster Management Authority. While water levels of most rivers have receded, nearly 4.50 lakh people remain affected by the disaster. With the death of two residents of the Nagaon district, the death toll now stands at 32.
As of Sunday, 596 villages are submerged underwater, and 25,860 hectares of cropland remain damaged in the state’s flood-affected areas.
A total of 106 relief camps have been established in four districts, which have sheltered 31,645 people, including 6,919 children.
