Meteorological Data of Mizoram - 2009

The “Meteorological Data of Mizoram” project was undertaken by the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC), Science & Technology, Planning Department, Government of Mizoram, to create a consolidated meteorological reference database for scientific studies, Remote Sensing and GIS applications, and development planning in the State. The report reviewed here represents the first phase of the project, covering available meteorological observations primarily for the period 1986–2008 and published in 2009. The initiative responded to the recurring requirement for dependable climatic inputs in natural-resource assessment, agricultural studies, environmental monitoring and other geospatial projects. The database was compiled from records obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Government of Mizoram; Department of Economics & Statistics, Government of Mizoram; and BRTF, Project Pushpak.

The report organizes district-wise and State-level information on rainfall, temperature and relative humidity. Rainfall records were available for all eight districts, while temperature data could be compiled for five districts—Kolasib, Aizawl, Champhai, Lunglei and Lawngtlai—and humidity information for four districts. Other meteorological variables such as wind direction, wind velocity and sunshine duration could not be systematically tabulated because adequate historical records were unavailable.

The compiled observations reveal Mizoram’s strongly monsoonal climatic regime. State-level rainfall records show considerable inter-annual variation, with annual totals generally exceeding 2,000 mm and several years approaching or surpassing 2,700 mm. Rainfall is concentrated between May and September, while the winter months are comparatively dry. District-level contrasts are also evident: for example, Lawngtlai recorded an average annual rainfall of about 2,532 mm, whereas Mamit averaged approximately 2,692 mm over its available record. Temperature data for Mizoram indicate a relatively moderate thermal regime, with monthly mean temperatures ranging from about 16.4°C in January to approximately 25.4°C in June. Recorded monthly maxima in the district datasets reached around 39°C, while winter minima in some locations fell to near 1–7°C. Relative humidity remained high for much of the monsoon period, with State-level monthly averages reaching around 90% during July–August, compared with generally lower values during the drier winter months.

Overall, the project established an important historical climatic baseline for Mizoram. Its organized meteorological tables provide a valuable reference for agriculture and horticulture planning, hydrological studies, forestry, environmental assessment, infrastructure design, disaster-risk analysis, climate-related research and Remote Sensing/GIS modelling. The report also recognized the need for continued database updating, providing the foundation for the subsequent second-phase extension of the meteorological record beyond 2008.

Summarized Metadata

Mapping Scale: N.A 

Satellite data & Year: N.A

Thematic sub-category: Meteorology; Climate; Weather data

Collaborating/Funding Agency: Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC)

Report Publication Month/Year: November, 2009