Northeast Region Sees On-Time Onset of Southwest Monsoon, Heavy Rains

GUWAHATI: The southwest monsoon delivered much- needed rain as it set in over the northeast on Saturday, providing much needed relief to people suffering from the unprecedented heat.

The monsoon struck the region five days later than the normal date of arrival but nobody’s complaining.

The Met office also explained that the brief delay will not have any negative effect on agriculture in the region as the rains are expected to be normal and above normal.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the monsoon has reached all parts of the NE states by Saturday noon and managed to keep its date with the region. Onset of the southwest monsoon has not been delayed in the region beyond June 10 during the last five years and this year was no exception.

"The southwest monsoon has advanced into most parts of northeastern states. Conditions are also becoming favourable for the advance of southwest monsoon over the remaining parts of northeastern states and some parts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim during the next 48 hours," read a media statement released by the IMD.

Forecast of heavy rain in the NE states in the next four days has been issued by the IMD and its intensity is likely to increase when the entire region is covered by the monsoon.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall marked the arrival of monsoon in several places in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram between 8.30 am on Friday and 8:30 am on Saturday. Among the northeast states, Assam’s Bijni with 19 cm and Manas National Park with 14 cm witnessed "very heavy" rainfall, along with Shella in Meghalaya with 13 cm recorded during this period. Other places in Assam, like Tamulpur, Aie National Highway and Dhemaji, and Serchhip in Mizoram were said to have received "heavy rainfall."

With the mercury touching nearly 40 degrees Celsius in many towns and cities in the region during the last one week, the monsoon brought relief to these places in the northeast.

In Guwahati, the mercury soared beyond 38 degrees Celsius early this week but came down to the maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius on Saturday, after it rained.

Similarly, the NE capitals of Shillong, Kohima, Aizawl and Imphal recorded a maximum temperature of below 30 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the IMD has issued 'yellow' and 'orange' warning in northeastern states till June 14, alerting disaster management agencies to prepare for adverse weather conditions.

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