Guwahati, April 27: While much of the country battles heatwave conditions, the Northeast is bracing for a prolonged wet spell that could disrupt daily life, agriculture, and transport, making preparedness crucial over the next week. Northeast India is set for an intense spell of rain and thunderstorms over the coming days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possible flooding across multiple states.
According to the latest IMD bulletin, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30–50 kmph) is expected across the region over the next five days. Wind speeds could intensify into thundersqualls reaching 50–70 kmph, particularly in Assam, Meghalaya, and other hill states. The IMD has also issued a warning of isolated very heavy rainfall in Assam and Meghalaya from April 27 to 30, and in Arunachal Pradesh from April 30 to May 2, while Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are likely to receive heavy rainfall till May 1, raising concerns over waterlogging and localised flooding.
The situation is already evolving, with Tripura recording very heavy rainfall of up to 13 cm and Meghalaya receiving heavy rainfall of up to 9 cm in the past 24 hours, alongside gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 113 kmph in parts of the region . The IMD has cautioned that the ongoing and upcoming weather conditions could trigger urban flooding, waterlogging, landslides in hilly terrain, damage to crops and plantations, and disruptions in power and communication lines. Low-lying areas and vulnerable hill districts are particularly at risk, prompting authorities to remain on alert.
Apart from heavy rain, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds could uproot trees, damage infrastructure, affect standing crops and horticulture, and disrupt travel due to reduced visibility. Residents have been advised to stay indoors during storms, avoid taking shelter under trees, and secure loose objects.
Fishermen have also been strictly advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal along the Odisha–West Bengal–Bangladesh coast till May 2 due to rough sea conditions. Meteorologists attribute the current spell to multiple upper air cyclonic circulations over Assam, Bangladesh, and adjoining regions, combined with a trough system that is intensifying moisture inflow over the Northeast.
