Guwahati, Assam’s capital, witnessed heavy rain and thunderstorms on Monday, following an extended spell of record-breaking heat across the northeastern states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a five-day weather alert for moderate to heavy rainfall in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
Northeast Faces Weather Extremes: Heatwave Followed by Rain
Just a day earlier, several parts of the Northeast, including Mazbat in Assam and Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, recorded all-time high temperatures for July. Guwahati also matched its previous July temperature record, marking an intense heatwave across the region.
IMD Forecast: Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain Likely in Assam
According to the latest IMD bulletin, parts of Assam are likely to receive heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning. A yellow alert has been issued for several districts.
July 14 – Yellow Alert for:
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Dhubri
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South Salmara-Mankachar
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Goalpara
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Kamrup (Rural and Metro)
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Karbi Anglong
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Golaghat
July 15 – Yellow Alert for:
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Dhubri
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Goalpara
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Kokrajhar
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Chirang
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Barpeta
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Bajali
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Nalbari
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Morigaon
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Nagaon
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West Karbi Anglong
The IMD advisory also urges the public to avoid low-lying water-logged areas and limit travel during thunderstorms.
Record-Breaking Temperatures in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
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Itanagar recorded 39°C, beating its earlier July record of 38.8°C from 2018.
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Mazbat (Lower Assam) touched 39.9°C, surpassing the 1984 record of 38.4°C.
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Dibrugarh and North Lakhimpur logged 38.5°C, while Guwahati hit 38.4°C, matching the 2017 peak.
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Passighat (Arunachal Pradesh) saw a 7.6°C rise above normal, the highest deviation across the region.
Why Is the Northeast Heating Up?
Experts from IMD explained the temperature rise was due to:
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Below-normal rainfall
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Reduced cloud cover
This has delayed paddy farming and even disrupted holiday plans for many families across Assam.
Upcoming Weather in Guwahati
The forecast predicts:
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Maximum temperature: Around 36°C
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Minimum temperature: Around 27°C
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Continued risk of heavy rainfall with thunderstorms
Key Takeaways:
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Guwahati hit by heavy rains after intense heat
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IMD issues yellow alerts for multiple districts
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Assam and Arunachal record historic July temperatures
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Rain to bring some relief but poses flood risk