Quota of deficit rainfall fulfilled in most North East states

GUWAHATI: Within a month of the arrival of monsoon, the deficit rainfall quota in most of the northeastern states has been fulfilled.

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) statistics on Thursday, except for Manipur and Mizoram where the rainfall deficit is still 42 per cent and 51 per cent respectively, normalcy in rainfall has been achieved in rest of the northeastern states.

But the extremely heavy rainfall that is in forecast, especially in Assam , Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, in next two-three days due to the shifting of the monsoon trough along the foothills of the Himalayas, may result in deterioration of the flood situation , especially in Assam. With the rainfall as predicted by the IMD between July 9 (Thursday) and July 12 (Sunday), the Central Water Commission (CWC) has issued an advisory stating that rivers in all the northeastern states are likely to rise depending on the rainfall amount in the catchments.

"The river Brahmaputra throughout its reach and its tributaries like Lohit, Burhidehing, Dhansiri (North), Manas, Beki, Sankosh are likely to rise considerably and most likely will flow above danger levels. This may cause inundation in the next 3-7 days in plains, landslides and flash floods in hills. The situation needs close watch and appropriate action to save lives and properties by concerned agencies," stated the CWC flood advisory.

"Dam authorities may monitor the situation and regulate the gate operation with prior warning to downstream district administration in such a way to minimise losses. Railways and Highways authorities may also be careful during this period and manage their operations depending on the flood situation in the area," it further added.

The advisory read that the river Brahmaputra is already in flood (above normal to severe) throughout its reach and with continuous rainfall for two to three days as predicted, it may inundate villages along its banks in the districts of Dhubri, Bongaigoan, Goalpara , Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup (Metropolitan), Kamrup, Morigaon , Darrang, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat, Majuli, Dhemaji, Sivasagar and Dibrugarh.

Extremely heavy rainfall in the catchments of northern tributaries of Brahmaputra - Sankosh, Manas, Beki, Dhansiri (N) - till July 11 may cause severe inundation in the districts of Dhubri, Chirang, Baksa, Bongaigaon, Barpeta and Nalbari districts of Assam from July 10 onwards, CWC cautioned.

CWC advisory further stated that in Arunachal Pradesh, due to very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the catchments of Lohit and Noa Dihing, severe flooding is likely in the districts of Namsai and Lohit. It also said that due to heavy to very rainfall in catchments of Kameng and Jiabharali, rise in water level may be experienced in the lower reaches of West and East Kameng districts.

Advisory of flash flood and landslides for Meghalaya have also been issued for the period.