The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a fresh alert for the entire Northeast region, forecasting moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning over the next five days. The warning, issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati on Sunday, comes amid increasing rainfall activity in the region.
The weather department has advised residents of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura to remain vigilant, especially those living in flood-prone or landslide-sensitive areas.
According to the IMD, the rainfall pattern is expected to intensify midweek, with very heavy showers likely in Meghalaya on Day 4, and heavy rain forecast in large parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning are also expected throughout the forecast period.
Meanwhile, temperatures in many parts of Assam are predicted to remain 3 to 5 degrees above normal, leading to hot and humid conditions in several districts.
Forecast Highlights:
· Days 1 & 2: Isolated heavy rainfall is expected over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya, with thunderstorms and lightning across Assam and Meghalaya.
· Day 3: The intensity of rain is expected to spread across Nagaland and Mizoram, along with the already-affected states.
· Day 4: Very heavy rainfall is likely over Meghalaya, with heavy rain over Arunachal, Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
· Day 5: Showers will continue in Meghalaya and Mizoram, while hot and sticky weather may persist across Assam.
What’s Causing It?
The prevailing monsoon activity is being supported by a trough running from Bikaner to the northeast Bay of Bengal, along with an upper air cyclonic circulation over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent regions of Odisha and West Bengal. These systems are pushing moisture-laden winds into the Northeast, fueling widespread rain.
While a low-level cyclonic system over northeast Assam has weakened, another trough extending from Haryana to the Bay of Bengal is also contributing to the current weather pattern.
In the last 24 hours, areas such as Mawsynram, Sohra, Tura, Sataka, Kampur, Chandel, Imphal, Lawngtlai, and Khawzawl reported 1 to 4 cm of rainfall, indicating an increase in rainfall intensity in pockets.
The IMD has urged residents — especially in low-lying or unstable terrain — to stay alert and follow local advisories. Farmers, commuters, and daily-wage laborers are encouraged to plan their activities carefully around the forecast.
Citizens are advised to monitor official weather bulletins for the latest updates and prepare for possible disruptions due to weather-related hazards.