Nagaland ended the 2026 southwest monsoon with rainfall in the normal category. (Morung File Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 1
Nagaland ended the 2026 southwest monsoon with rainfall in the normal category, even as the broader East and Northeast India region recorded a substantial deficit during the June-September monsoon season.
According to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) cumulative rainfall data for June 1 to September 30, considered the monsoon period in India, Nagaland received 1,105 mm of rainfall against its normal of 1,038.8 mm, representing a 6% surplus over the Long Period Average (LPA).
The State’s monsoon rainfall was therefore classified as ‘Normal’ under the IMD’s rainfall classification, despite the broader East and North-East India region emerging as one of the major rainfall-deficient areas of the country during the season.
East and Northeast India received only 1,017.1 mm against a normal of 1,367.3 mm, or a 26% deficit.
Variation across districts
The State-level figure, however, showed considerable variation in rainfall across Nagaland.
The IMD’s district-wise rainfall distribution shows that three meteorological districts recorded excess rainfall, while six remained within the normal category. Two districts had no cumulative rainfall data (ND) in the table.
Zunheboto recorded the highest positive departure, receiving 1,580.6 mm, or 47% above its normal of 1,077.4 mm. It was followed by Kiphire and Mokokchung, both of which recorded a 24% excess. Kiphire received 753 mm against a normal of 607.8 mm, while Mokokchung recorded 1,731.7 mm against a normal of 1,391.7 mm.
Among the districts classified as normal, Wokha recorded 1,284.3 mm, 3% above normal; Peren 933.8 mm, 1% below normal; Dimapur 788.3 mm, 5% below normal; Phek 760.3 mm, 9% below normal; Mon 921.2 mm, 12% below normal; and Kohima 1,060.1 mm, 14% below normal.
Longleng and Tuensang were marked ND in the cumulative column, with no actual rainfall figure as per the data status on the IMD’s website on October 1.
Despite normal seasonal rainfall overall, intense rainfall spells triggered landslides and flash floods across several parts of Nagaland, disrupting road connectivity and damaging homes, agricultural land and public infrastructure. Mon district was the worst affected, where rain-triggered landslides on July 19-20 claimed nine lives, with several others injured and homes and infrastructure damaged.
The State also witnessed flooding and landslides in other districts, including Mokokchung and Longleng, with several areas temporarily cut off due to damage to roads and bridges.
NE status
The state-wise IMD table for June 1 to September 30 shows that only Nagaland and Sikkim recorded positive rainfall departures among the eight NE states.
Among the eight NE states, Meghalaya was designated as ‘Large Deficient’, with rainfall below 60% of normal, while Arunachal Pradesh (-28%), Assam (-28%) and Manipur (-46%) were categorised as ‘Deficient’. Sikkim (+9%), Mizoram (-19%) and Tripura (-16%) were designated Normal, along with Nagaland.
At the national level, the 2026 southwest monsoon ended with 759.4 mm of rainfall against an LPA of 868.6 mm, amounting to roughly 87% of LPA and a 12.6% deficit, according to the IMD’s end-of-season assessment report on September 30.
