Northeast India under threat, heavy pre-Monsoon rain likely till May 16

At a time when most parts of India had been witnessing heatwave conditions in the absence of pre-Monsoon showers, Northeast India witnessed good rains. A major rainfall contribution in April came from this part of the country. The cumulative rainfall deficiency in April was just 19%, which falls in the ambit of normal rains. However, the situation remained grim in North, Central and West India.

Also read, April 2016 now crowned as the driest month on record 

After witnessing exceptionally heavy rains in April into May, the Northeast region went dry in the second week of May. As of now, isolated rains are being observed over Northeast India. During last 24 hours, Cherrapunji and Shillong in Meghalaya received 36.6 mm and 2.6 mm of rainfall, respectively. Nevertheless, intensity and spread of rainfall are likely to increase very soon. The cyclonic circulation is gaining strength and from May 12 onwards, rainfall activity will start showing signs of increasing. Moisture incursion is also taking place from the Bay of Bengal, which will lead to heavy fall on May 14, 15 and 16. Northeast India has already seen the first wave of floods this year. Continuous rains can lead to accumulation of rain water in the catchment areas. This can cause flooding the region, especially with the Brahmaputra River swelling up gradually.

The cyclonic circulation is gaining strength and from May 12 onwards, rainfall activity will start showing signs of increasing. Moisture incursion is also taking place from the Bay of Bengal, which will lead to heavy fall on May 14, 15 and 16. Northeast India has already seen the first wave of floods this year. Continuous rains can lead to accumulation of rain water in the catchment areas. This can cause flooding the region, especially with the Brahmaputra River swelling up gradually.

Image credit - nelive.in