Kohima: Nagaland bucked the trend this year. While the rest of East and Northeast India suffered through a severe dry spell, the state ended its June to September monsoon season with normal rainfall. The India Meteorological Department logged 1,105 mm of rain in the state. That beat the long-term average of 1,038.8 mm by 6 percent.
The region did not share this luck. East and Northeast India faced a massive 26 percent deficit. Officials confirmed that Nagaland and Sikkim were the only two states in the Northeast to see positive rainfall departures. Other neighbors like Manipur and Meghalaya struggled with significant shortages.
Rainfall totals varied wildly within Nagaland. Zunheboto led the state with a 47 percent surplus. Kiphire and Mokokchung also saw excess water, with both reporting 24 percent above normal levels. Six other districts remained in the normal range. Dimapur, Phek, Mon, Kohima, Wokha, and Peren all landed within typical bounds. Data for Longleng and Tuensang was missing from the report.
Heavy water caused real trouble. Intense storms triggered landslides and flash floods that smashed homes and blocked critical roads. Mon district suffered the most. The IMD report noted that "rain-triggered landslides on July 19-20 claimed nine lives, with several others injured and homes and infrastructure damaged." Repairs to battered bridges and roads are ongoing.
Comments