IMD forecasts heavy to extremely heavy rain in Northeast India over 5 days
Synopsis
The IMD has put seven Northeastern states on a five-day heavy-rain alert starting 4 August, with Meghalaya facing the risk of extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas. With flooding, waterlogging, and landslides all flagged as possibilities, this is one of the more serious monsoon advisories issued for the region this season.
Key Takeaways
The IMD on 4 August forecast heavy to extremely heavy rain across 7 Northeastern states over the next 5 days .
Meghalaya faces the highest risk, with isolated places likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall in the first two days.
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rain at isolated locations over the first two days.
Nagaland , Manipur , Mizoram , and Tripura are under a rain watch from Day 2, with heavy rain expected at isolated places throughout.
Guwahati is expected to see heavy rain for two days, with temperatures around 33°C maximum and 27°C minimum.
The IMD has advised residents in low-lying and landslide-prone areas to stay alert and monitor official bulletins.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday, 4 August issued a five-day forecast of widespread, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across several Northeastern states, warning residents of the risk of fresh flooding, waterlogging, and landslides in vulnerable areas. The alert covers Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
Most Intense Rainfall Expected in Meghalaya
According to Sanjay O'Neill Shaw of the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Guwahati, the heaviest precipitation is anticipated over parts of Meghalaya, where isolated locations are likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall during the first two days of the forecast window. The state is expected to see heavy to very heavy rain continue at isolated places through the remainder of the five-day period.
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on Alert
In Assam, heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast at isolated places over the first two days, with heavy rain returning on the third and fifth days. Arunachal Pradesh is expected to see fairly widespread rainfall on Day 1, followed by light to moderate rain at several places over the next four days. Heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated locations on the first day, with heavy rain continuing at isolated spots from Day 2 through Day 4.
Four More States Under Rain Watch
The IMD has also forecast fairly widespread rainfall across Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura from Day 2 onwards. Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places in all four states throughout the five-day period. Notably, Nagaland may also experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on Day 1, making it one of the more immediately affected states in this cluster.
Guwahati Forecast and Temperature Outlook
For Guwahati, the weather office has predicted generally cloudy skies with heavy rainfall over the next two days, followed by cloudy conditions with intermittent rain or thundershowers through Day 5. Maximum temperatures are expected to hover around 33 degrees Celsius, with minimum temperatures near 27 degrees Celsius. This comes amid an already active monsoon season that has strained drainage infrastructure in the city in recent weeks.
IMD Advisory to Residents
The IMD has advised residents — particularly those in low-lying and landslide-prone areas — to remain alert, monitor official weather bulletins regularly, and take necessary precautions. The Northeast's topography makes it especially susceptible to flash floods and landslides during sustained heavy rainfall events, and this forecast period is among the more intense of the current monsoon season. Authorities in the affected states are expected to keep disaster response teams on standby.
Point of View
River-fed plains, and dense forest cover — amplifies even moderate rainfall into flash floods and landslides. What is often reported as a weather bulletin is, in practice, a disaster-preparedness window. State governments in Assam and Meghalaya have a narrow lead time, and the history of delayed evacuations in the region makes early public communication critical. The advisory's emphasis on 'isolated extremely heavy' events in Meghalaya is particularly significant — such events are notoriously difficult to pinpoint and can overwhelm local response capacity with little warning.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states are under heavy rain alert from the IMD?
The IMD has issued a five-day heavy rain alert covering Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura starting 4 August. Meghalaya faces the highest risk, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall expected in the first two days.
What risks have been flagged alongside the heavy rainfall?
The IMD has warned of the possibility of fresh flooding, waterlogging, and landslides in vulnerable areas across the Northeastern states. Residents in low-lying and landslide-prone zones have been specifically advised to stay alert.
How severe is the forecast for Meghalaya?
Meghalaya is the most severely affected state in this forecast, with isolated places expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall during the first two days. Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast to continue at isolated locations through the remaining forecast period.
What is the weather outlook for Guwahati?
Guwahati is expected to see generally cloudy skies with heavy rainfall for the first two days, followed by intermittent rain or thundershowers through Day 5. Maximum temperatures are forecast around 33 degrees Celsius, with minimums near 27 degrees Celsius.
What precautions has the IMD recommended?
The IMD has advised residents — especially those in low-lying and landslide-prone areas — to remain alert, regularly monitor official weather bulletins, and take necessary precautions during the five-day intense rainfall period.
