Heatwave hits Northeast India: Temperatures rise above average in seven states

The regional meteorological office of Guwahati officials reported that over the past few days, heatwave-like temperatures have been observed across the seven northeastern states — Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.

According to a forecast issued on Sep 20 by the Guwahati office, "Day temperature is likely to be above 4-5°C over the region during the next 3–4 days."

In most areas of the region, there has been reduced cloud cover, less rainfall for several days in a row, and changes in wind patterns, according to officials.

A maximum temperature of 38°C was recorded in Guwahati on Sep 20, which is 5.6°C higher than average for this time of year.

A maximum temperature of 28.1°C, or 4.9°C above average, was recorded in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. On Sep 20, the temperature in Passighat, Arunachal Pradesh, was 38°C, 7°C above average.

The capital cities of Tripura, Agartala, recorded 37.6°C, which was 5°C over average, while Manipur, Imphal, recorded 33.7°C, which was 3.7°C above normal.

The Guwahati Regional Metereological Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Arunachal Pradesh had 95% less rainfall than typical in the week ending Sep 18, with only 5.3 mm falling on the state, resulting in the increased temperatures.

Assam normally receives 70 mm of rain a year, but it only got 9.8%, which is 86% less than average. Meghalaya, the neighboring state, too experienced an 86% rainfall shortfall. The state received only 15 mm over the week, compared to the average of 106.8 mm.

Less rain than usual fell on the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. Manipur received 33.6 mm throughout the week, which is 29% less than the state's average of 47.1 mm. Likewise, Mizoram received 70% deficit rainfall, receiving 27 mm instead of the usual 89.6 mm.