Churachandpur, Guwahati:
Nagaland has a deficit of 71 per cent rainfall. Meghalaya recorded a deficit 73 per cent and Assam recorded a shortfall of 35 per cent.
These figures are for the month of June.
Though monsoon hit the North East as early as the last week of May, most of the states have recorded a major shortfall in rain. Manipur was quick to declare a condition of drought but are the measures being taken adequate for the people?
Even as monsoon clouds gather overhead, the earth below is parched.
Thangpu hasn't yet recovered from his lost harvest in the bamboo flowering phenomenon last year. He may have to go without any harvest this season as well. Manipur has already been declared drought hit.
"Last year rodents destroyed the harvest. This year acute water scarcity. We haven't even transplanted the saplings. Even if it rains now, it's already too late," says Thangpu Haokip.
The state has recorded a 70 per cent deficit rainfall in the month of June. Irrigation canals have dried up along with rivers and streams.
There are emergency measures now being put in place. The government has set up nurseries to distribute saplings and water pumps are being installed for irrigation.
"Without assistance we won't tide through this situation," observes Kai Chinthang, a farmer.
Across the North Eastern region there's an acute crisis of water due to inadequate rainfall. The government says they are prepared to handle the situation but the people say that the measures have come in a little too late.