Good monsoons for NE spell doubts of possible floods

Guwahati, May 30 (UNI) The spectre of possible floods looms large on the Northeast region with the onset of early monsoons as weathermen predicted heavy rainfall this time.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall this year in comparison to last monsoons in the Northeast.

But there could be less rainfall in parts of Central India, the IMD senior official said.

Talking to UNI, Deputy Director General of the Regional Meteorology Centre, Guwahati, D Chakraborty said early trends indicated that NE would receive plenty of rainfall this season.

He said the NE had less rainfall last year compared to other parts of the country. But this time the monsoons set early and is expected to be heavy, he added.

The monsoons, last year were delayed by about two weeks in the region with the first seasonal showers reported on June 16.

The IMD had forecast an early onset of monsoon on May 30 in the country. But the rains arrived at Trivandrum on May 26, reached parts of NE on May 27 and touched the entire region on May 28.

Mr Chakraborty informed that conditions for good monsoons were favourable for NE and the Western Coast, including southern Maharashtra and Konkan.

These trends indicated the central mainland, including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, were likely to be hit by weak monsoons.

The DDG said, ''In a reversal from last year, the mainland may receive less rainfall. But a clearer picture will emerge only after the July forecasts.'' The Indian economy, being agrarian with crops dependent on rains, weak monsoon in the mainland may spell trouble for the country. On a cautionary note, he said less rainfall in the mainland would create problems as those parts receive very little rain on an average.

Explaining the phenomenon of differences in monsoon patterns in the country every year, Mr Chakraborty said heating of the Himalayas had a direct impact on the seasons worldwide.

While the height of the Himalayas and the amount of sun's radiation remained constant, variations in other natural conditions in the globe affect the monsoons, he added.

He said human activities have only localised impact in the short term, though serious repercussions could be seen only over a longer period of time.

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