ITANAGAR, 13 Jun: After a week of hot and dry conditions, Arunachal Pradesh is likely to receive a much-needed spell of rainfall across the state till 19 June, the meteorological office here said on Friday.
Weather activity is expected to intensify significantly from 16 June onwards, bringing scattered to widespread rain and thunderstorms to several districts, the state Disaster Management Department said in a statement.
According to district-wise forecast, Tawang, Kurung Kumey, West Kameng, Papum Pare, Namsai, Changlang, and Longding are likely to witness frequent and widespread showers on some days.
Meanwhile, East and West Kameng, Kra Daadi, Kamle, and Pakke-Kessang – regions that began the week with minimal or no rain – are expected to experience a marked increase in rainfall.
Rainfall is also likely to pick up in Upper and Lower Subansiri, Siang, and West Siang districts, the statement added.
The eastern and central belts, including Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, Lohit, and Anjaw, will particularly see a rise in rainfall between 17 and 19 June. Residents in these areas have been advised to remain alert to the risk of thunderstorms and lightning, it added.
From 1 to 11 June, the state recorded 81.7 mm of rainfall, 39 percent below the long period average (LPA) of 134.7 mm. The week between 5 and 11 June was even drier, with just 11.2 mm of rainfall, a staggering 88 percent shortfall from the normal weekly average of 94.5 mm.
While rainfall from 13 to 19 June is still expected to remain below normal at 53.7 mm, the situation is projected to improve significantly in the subsequent week.
Between 20 and 26 June, rainfall is expected to exceed the average, reaching approximately 130 mm compared to the normal 106.5 mm, it said.
Temperature patterns have reflected the dry weather. Over the past week, maximum temperatures were above normal in several parts of the state.
On 12 June, the maximum temperature in Itanagar touched 39.7 degrees Celsius, 7.8 degrees above normal, while Pasighat recorded 38.6 degrees, 7.6 degrees above average.
These unusually high readings are largely attributed to weak monsoonal activity, dry continental easterly/northeasterly winds, and clear skies that allowed higher solar insolation, the statement said.
The forecast suggests that daytime temperatures may continue to rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius above normal in many areas over the next 24 hours, resulting in hot and humid conditions, especially across the plains.
However, maximum temperatures are likely to return to near-normal levels as the rain sets in.
Minimum temperatures will remain normal to slightly above normal through the forecast period. (PTI)
