Guwahati/Agartala, Oct 16: The Southwest monsoon has withdrawn from all eight northeastern states, with the region recording a 26 per cent rainfall deficit during the June-September season, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
A senior IMD official said the withdrawal was completed close to its normal date, adding that temperatures across the region would gradually decline in the coming weeks.
“Last year (2025), the Southwest monsoon withdrew from the entire Northeastern region on October 14,” the official told the press on Thursday.
He said winter conditions were expected to become more pronounced towards the latter part of November, although maximum and minimum temperatures would gradually fall from now onwards.
The monsoon advanced into substantial parts of the Northeast on June 7, two days later than its normal onset date, and covered the entire region by June 10, marking the beginning of the four-month rainy season.
According to IMD data, the eight northeastern states recorded an overall rainfall deficit of 26 per cent during the monsoon season from June to September. While four states recorded rainfall within the normal range, the remaining four experienced substantial shortfalls.
Meghalaya recorded the highest deficit at 60 per cent, followed by Manipur at 46 per cent, Arunachal Pradesh at 44 per cent and Assam at 28 per cent.
Meghalaya received only 1,077.1 mm of rainfall against its normal of 2,695.3 mm during the season, highlighting the extent of the shortfall in one of the country's rainiest regions.
Among the other northeastern states, Mizoram recorded a 19 per cent rainfall deficit and Tripura a 16 per cent deficit. Sikkim and Nagaland recorded rainfall 9 per cent and 6 per cent above their respective normal levels.
Under IMD norms, rainfall ranging from 19 per cent below to 19 per cent above normal is classified as being within the normal category.
The deficient rainfall has raised concerns over agricultural activities across the region, where monsoon precipitation plays a crucial role in the Kharif cropping season.
A senior official of the Manipur Agriculture Department said the 46 per cent rainfall deficit, coupled with the prolonged ethnic conflict, had severely affected farming activities in the state, where irrigation facilities remain inadequate.
“However, the state government has taken adequate arrangements and other supportive measures to facilitate farming activities in both the Imphal Valley and the hill districts during the Kharif cropping season,” the official told IANS.
The rainfall shortfall in the Northeast comes against the backdrop of a deficient monsoon across the country. According to the IMD, India received 759.4 mm of rainfall during the 2026 Southwest monsoon season, equivalent to 87 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA).
The seasonal rainfall was the fourth lowest since 2001 and the 13th lowest since 1901.
East and Northeast India received 1,017.1 mm of rainfall, the lowest since 1901, while South Peninsular India recorded 542 mm, its fourth-lowest monsoon rainfall since 1901 and second-lowest since 2001.
The IMD data showed that seasonal rainfall over Northwest India, Central India, South Peninsular India and Northeast India stood at 94.1 per cent, 97 per cent, 76 per cent and 74 per cent of their respective LPAs.
Agricultural scientists and meteorological officials have emphasised that adequate monsoon rainfall, particularly in July, is essential for Kharif cultivation, as sowing activities gain momentum across the country, including the mountainous Northeast.
IANS