Sub Himalayan West Bengal, Northeast India observe torrential rain; flooding to worsen

According to our predictions, heavy to very heavy rain of over 100 mm was observed in many parts of West Bengal (particularly Sub Himalayan West Bengal) and northeastern states of Sikkim and Meghalaya in the last 24 hours. Moderate to heavy Monsoon rain also occurred in Assam, which is likely to worsen the flood situation in the state.

According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the above mentioned states would witness wet weather during the entire week. However, torrential rain is likely to occur during the next three days.

Heavy rain has been occurring in Sub Himlayan West Bengal and Northeastern states from Friday onwards, with 189 mm of rain at Malda and 132 mm at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. On Saturday too, in a span of 24 hours Pasighat recorded heavy rain of over 144 mm.

However, on Sunday Sub Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Meghalaya observed maximum amounts of rain. Bagdogra in West Bengal recorded the highest rainfall in the country of 253 mm, whereas Panagarh in northern Bengal recorded 121 mm of rain.

Rain in Cherrapunji was a whopping 174 mm and in Darjeeling it was 104 mm. Guwahati which is already dealing with flood also received good showers of 41 mm.

Assam is witnessing major waterlogging as the Brahmaputra River is flowing above the danger level in several parts of Dibrugarh and Guwahati. Heavy rains have further added to the misery. So far 11 people have died and more than 2,000 affected due to floods in the state.

On Thursday, 26^th June, residents waded through waist- and knee-deep water in several parts of the Assam state capital, Guwahati, which was hit by nearly 60 millimeters (2.3 inches) of pounding rain at night. The average four-month Monsoon rainfall is 89 centimeters (35 inches).

Weathermen at Skymet say that these rains are caused by a strong Monsoon, while many other parts of the country are experiencing a 30 to 40 percent rainfall deficit in June.

“Amid a dry June, Monsoon performance has been the best in Sub Himalayan West Bengal and Northeastern states. While the former has had excess rainfall by over 14%, the latter is facing a rain deficit of only 19%. And with more rain expected this week the deficit may soon narrow down completely”, says G.P Sharma, AVM (Retd).

Owing to Monsoon rain, the weather in Northeast India is expected to turn even cooler as the minimum temperature is likely to drop by two notches. Maximums too will drop by a degree or two. Currently the maximum is seen settling in the range of 30⁰C to 34⁰C and the minimum is hovering in the lower twenties.