North-East India is located between 20°N- 29°30′N latitude and 89°46′ E -97°30′E longitude. The tropic of Cancer passes across its southern part through Tripura and Mizoram. Therefore, it has essentially tropical climate. At the same time, being within the monsoon belt of the south and South East Asia, the region is under the tropical monsoon climate. The presence of high mountain ranges on three sides of the region and the presence of precipitous Meghalaya plateau and the course of incoming south –west monsoon winds have rendered its climate somewhat different from that of other parts of India. So North-East India can be divided into the following climate sub-regions-
1. Region of Cold, Humid and High Altitude Climate- This
type of climate prevails over the mid-northern part of Arunachal and the
Eastern Hills in the areas above 2000 meter. Temperature remains generally low,
the lowest touching 0°C in winter and the highest not exceeding 20°C even in
the hottest month. Precipitation is high in these regions and sometimes coming
in the form of snowfall. Average annual precipitation is above 150 cm.
Agricultural facilities is very limited due to mountainous area. Some amounts
of hill rice, maize, millet, vegetables and fruits are grown on the hill
slopes either by shifting method or by terrace method.
2. Region of Humid Sub-Tropical Monsoon Climate – This type of climate prevails over Arunachal foothills bordering the Brahmaputra valley, Nagaland, Eastern part of North-Cachar Hills, Manipur and Mizoram. The average annual temperature is 10°-20°C. The summer is hot and humid (18°-25°C), while the winter is longer and drier. Shifting and terrace cultivation are the traditional methods of agriculture found here. Hill rice, wet rice, maize, millets, vegetables, pine, apples are grown in this region.
3. Region of Hot, Humid Monsoon Climate – This type of
climate prevails over all the plain areas and the Northern foothills of Meghalaya.
The temperature over here is generally high, summer maximum reaching 36°C and
winter hardly going down to 10°C.
Rainfall is high, the average annual amount being above 150 cm and
reaching 300 cm in many places. Storms and thunder showers are common in the
pre monsoon period. The region is agriculturally
very important because it consists of plains. Rice, wheat, jute, tea, pulses, mustard, vegetables
and tropical fruits are generally grown here.
4. Region of Rainy, Cool Monsoon Climate- This type of
climate prevails over the southern half of Meghalaya to the south of a line
joining Darugiri, Nongkhlaw, Umsing and Hamren of Karbi-Anglong. This area is
characterized by low temperature, lower than 20°C in summer and 0°C in winter throughout the year and
with rainfall occurring for about 8 months. The amount of average annual
rainfall is over 250 cm. It is this area
that supports the rainiest places like Mawsynram. Hill rice, maize, millet, vegetables, fruits like orange, apple, pear, apricots etc are commonly
grown here.
5. Region of Alpine Climate – The alpine climate prevails over the high Himalayan region along the Northern part of Arunachal Pradesh. The region has cold climate throughout the year with temperature remaining 0°C in winter. Cold mountain wind, which often turns into blizzard, is a common phenomenon here. Precipitation occurs in the form of snowfall in winter. Alpine grasses, short bushes, juniper and stunted conifers are generally found here. Barley and oat are grown in the sheltered valleys, while yak and mules are domesticated in the region.
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