Bolpur: A man covers his head with a plastic bag while walking on a road during heavy rain in Bolpur, Birbhum district of West Bengal, on Friday, June 19, 2026. (Photo: IANS)
Agartala, June 22 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall over several parts of the Northeastern region, particularly Assam and Meghalaya, officials said on Monday.
According to IMD officials, rainfall is likely to be fairly widespread to widespread over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura during the period from June 22 to June 28. Isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely over these states between June 22 and June 26.
Arunachal Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are also expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall during the period, IMD officials said.
The weather department separately predicted heavy rainfall over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura in the coming days. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are also likely to occur over parts of northern India.
Heavy showers lashed parts of Meghalaya and Tripura on Sunday, and the IMD has forecast further intense rainfall in both states over the next few days. Tripura's capital, Agartala, recorded 102.5 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, severely affecting normal life due to waterlogging and traffic disruptions.
In Meghalaya, the town of Mawsynram in the East Khasi Hills district received 530 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. An IMD official noted that this quantity of rainfall in a single night is equivalent to what cities such as Jodhpur or Bikaner receive over more than six months.
The weather department also recorded 470 mm of rainfall in RKM Sohra and 390 mm in Mawkyrwat during the same period. Persistent rain damaged a stretch of the national highway connecting Shillong with Dawki along the India-Bangladesh border, affecting vehicular movement.
According to IMD data, heavy rainfall was also recorded at Shella (100 mm), Williamnagar (90 mm), Mawryngkneng (90 mm), Jowai (80 mm), Barapani (70 mm), and Ratacherra (70 mm).
The Southwest Monsoon advanced into substantial parts of the Northeastern region on June 7, two days later than its normal onset date. The advancement brought widespread rainfall and raised hopes for a normal-to-above-normal monsoon season across the region.
Subsequently, the monsoon covered the entire Northeastern region, comprising all eight states, including Sikkim.
Last year (2025), the Southwest Monsoon had advanced into most parts of the Northeastern region on May 26, making this year’s onset relatively delayed.
IMD officials said favourable meteorological conditions currently prevail, facilitating further advancement and strengthening of monsoon activity in the coming days. Rainfall across the Northeastern states during the Southwest Monsoon season is expected to remain normal to above normal.
Although strong El Niño conditions have been forecast in certain parts of India this year, the phenomenon is unlikely to have a significant adverse impact on the mountainous Northeastern region due to its extensive forest cover, varied topography and favourable climatic conditions.
Officials said the unique geographical and climatic characteristics of the Northeast often help moderate the impact of large-scale weather phenomena, ensuring relatively stable monsoon conditions compared to several other parts of the country.
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