Despite flood, rainfall less in Assam and Arunachal

Guwahati, Jul 26 (UNI) Even as the flash floods wrecked havoc in Lohit districts of Arunachal Pradesh and Dhemaji district of Assam, the actual rainfall over these states have been normal this year.

According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), shortfall of rainfall is more than 21 per cent. Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur Nagaland and Mizoram had received normal rainfall.

However the IMD officials are hopeful that by next few weeks, the gap between the normal and actual rainfall would reduce as rains continue to lash the whole region.

According to an IMD data Assam and Meghalaya had received 96 mm of rains, which is 28 per cent less than the normal of 132 mm.

Similarly, Arunachal received 125 mm rainfall, 16 per cent less than the normal of 148 mm. On the contrary, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura received 89 mm rainfall, eight per cent more than the normal rainfall of 82 mm.

Another data states that from June first to July 18, the entire NE region had experienced deficit rainfall.

There were 670 mm rainfall occurred in Assam and Meghalaya, 26 per cent less than the normal of 909 mm.

Another 584 mm is in Arunachal, which is 30 per cent less than normal of 836 mm and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura got 487 mm rainfall, 14 per cent less than normal of 566 mm.

Besides Lohit and Dhemaji district, there was a flood-like situation in Lakhimpur, Sibsagar, Dibrugarh, Cachar, Karimganj and Hilakandi districts.

According to the official sources in Dhemaji, more than 40,000 people of around 75 villages were affected, while as the actual figure is over 1.5 Lakhs.

Though most parts of the region are experiencing heavy rainfall, people in Bhelowguri, Keroni, Bijoypur, Bareghoria and Salangpathar were jostling with a drought-like condition.

According to Regional Meteorological Centre Director Hara Gobinda Pathak, Guwahati had received less rainfall in 1972, 1986 and 1992.

He also said the variation in monsoon is due to Global Warming.

UNI