Mashud Ahmed and Paramita Saha
Abstract
This study investigates climate change patterns in Northeast India, focusing on Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya over the period 1981â2024. Using the Mann-Kendall trend test and Senâs slope estimator, we analyze trends in temperature range and rainfall. Findings reveal a significant reduction in temperature range across the three states, with cumulative decreases of approximately 0.374 °C in Assam, 1.98°C in Tripura, and 1.056 °C in Meghalaya over 44 years, primarily due to faster-rising minimum temperatures. Conversely, rainfall shows a significant increasing trend, with total increases of approximately 115.28 mm, 1257.08 mm, and 1655.28 mm in Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya, respectively, intensifying flood risks and altering hydrological patterns. These trends pose substantial threats to agricultural productivity, labour efficiency, and ecological stability by disrupting crop growth cycles, increasing pest and disease prevalence, and straining infrastructure. The findings suggest shifting climatic patterns with potential implications for agriculture, water resource management, and economic policy in the region. The study emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies to address these changes.