Week-long wet spell with gusty winds likely across region: West Karbi Anglong, Boko and Tamulpur report massive damage to homes, crops and power lines
Guwahati: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued spells of heavy rain and thunderstorms across Northeast India, warning of worsening weather conditions from March 17.
According to the IMD, isolated heavy rainfall is likely in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya, while Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura may witness thunderstorms and lightning until March 18. The department also predicted widespread light to moderate rainfall across the region over the next week, accompanied by gusty winds ranging between 30 and 50 kmph and possible isolated hailstorms.
The conditions are being driven by an upper-air cyclonic circulation over northeastern Assam and adjoining Arunachal Pradesh. Even before the forecast takes full effect, severe weather has already caused widespread destruction in parts of Assam.
In West Karbi Anglong, a powerful storm struck around 2 am on March 17, lashing villages under Kheroni Police Station, including Hawaipur, Jiribasa and Mailoo Bazar. Strong winds uprooted areca nut and coconut trees, while wheat fields and vegetable crops were flattened, causing major losses to farmers. Power lines snapped and the area plunged into darkness, with restoration likely to take time.
In Boko, a powerful storm on March 16 impacted more than 30 villages, flattening houses, uprooting electric poles, and damaging infrastructure. Several families suffered heavy property losses, though no casualties have been reported. In Bhehua village, three houses were completely destroyed, with residents narrowly escaping unharmed.
Tamulpur district also reported extensive damage, with strong winds tearing off rooftops and collapsing structures in multiple localities. Roads were blocked by uprooted trees, disrupting connectivity. Power supply remains severely affected in both regions due to damaged electric infrastructure.
While an official damage assessment is still awaited, initial reports suggest that the impact could be significant, considering the number of villages affected and the scale of destruction to infrastructure
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