There has been a deficit of nearly 30 percent rainfall from the beginning of June to July 12 -- the 14 districts received 414.8 mm of rain in the period compared to an average rainfall of 588.8 mm.

'There has been extensive damage and loss to crops due to inadequate monsoon rains,' Agriculture Minister Pramila Rani Brahma said.

'When there is a shortfall of 20 percent or more rainfall and crops are damaged due to dry spell or lack of rains a state can declare a drought like situation,' an official of the revenue and disaster management department said.

The meteorological department is pinning hopes on mid-July and August when monsoon activity increases in the northeast and decreases in other parts of the country.

'If the region receives abundant rainfall during this period, it will be able to make up for the deficit. Otherwise certain parts of the region might experience a drought-like situation,' a spokesman at the Guwahati-based Regional Meteorological Centre said.

Last month, the Manipur government declared the state drought-hit.