• State records 30% above normal rain in March so far but distribution uneven
• Three districts yet to receive rain
Dimapur, March 14 (MExN): Nagaland, which has been experiencing enhanced rainfall activity in recent days, is likely to witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning at isolated places on March 15, according to the latest All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday evening.
“Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning very likely at isolated places over Nagaland on March 15,” the bulletin stated.
The IMD also forecast ‘fairly widespread’ rainfall across the state on March 15, though no significant warnings have been issued for the following days, when rainfall activity is expected to remain scattered or isolated.
Across the broader Northeast region, the bulletin indicated fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over several states.
According to IMD observations, rainfall was recorded at many places across Nagaland till 5:30 PM on March 14, with Dimapur recording the highest rainfall of 1 cm during the period.
The national weather agency attributed the prevailing weather conditions to the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation over Northeast Assam and adjoining areas at around 1.5 km above mean sea level, which continues to affect weather patterns across the region.
Meanwhile, rainfall data available on the IMD website indicates that Nagaland— which recorded ‘large deficient’ rainfall in February (-99% to -60% below normal)— has shown some recovery in March due to the recent rainfall activity.
IMD data for the period March 1–14 shows that the state recorded ‘excess’ rainfall (20% to 59% above normal), with 16.7 mm of actual rainfall against a normal of 12.9 mm, representing 30% above normal precipitation.
However, district-level data reflects uneven distribution of rainfall across the state. Mon, Phek and Zunheboto were shown to have received no rainfall during the period, while Longleng, Peren and Tuensang were listed under ‘No Data.’
Mokokchung and Wokha recorded normal rainfall, while Dimapur continued to remain ‘large deficient.’
In contrast, Kiphire and Kohima registered ‘large excess’ rainfall, with Kiphire recording 402% above normal rainfall and Kohima 158% above normal, pushing the overall state average into the ‘excess’ category, the data indicated.
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