Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya faces a massive water crisis. The state recorded a 60 per cent monsoon rainfall deficit this year. Data from the India Meteorological Department shows the region received only 1,077.1 mm of rain against a normal 2,695.3 mm. The southwest monsoon hit the state on June 9, yet failed to deliver.
Even the world’s wettest locations took a hit. Sohra recorded a 36 per cent deficit, while Mawsynram dropped 34 per cent below normal. Sohra logged 5,277.2 mm against an 8,301.1 mm target. Mawsynram saw 6,169.1 mm compared to a 9,338.4 mm average. Shillong struggled too, receiving 953 mm, which is 35 per cent lower than its expected 1,466.9 mm.
Seven of the 11 districts tracked reported large rainfall deficits. West Jaintia Hills led the state with a 79 per cent shortfall. West Garo Hills followed at 71 per cent, and South West Garo Hills hit 70 per cent. Only South West Khasi Hills bucked the trend with excess rain. East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, and South Garo Hills remained in the deficient category.
The dry spell creates a paradox for the state. High monsoon totals usually mask systemic shortages, but non-monsoon months leave springs barren. A senior official of the Public Health Engineering Department stated, "The government has identified the sustainability of critical water sources as a priority, given the state's dependence on natural springs."
Officials are now pivoting strategy. Under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, the department is moving beyond basic scheme completion. They plan to focus on regular, safe water delivery and strict monitoring of existing infrastructure.
Updated at 2nd October 2026 at 10:00am
The monsoon season from June to September reached only 40 percent of the long-term average rainfall. While previous tallies listed seven districts with large deficits, specific reports now identify East Garo Hills, East Jaintia Hills, North Garo Hills, and West Khasi Hills among that list of parched regions.
State authorities are looking at the Soil and Water Conservation Department to address the dry spells. The department explicitly blames the water paradox on the failure of springs to hold water through the non-monsoon months, a point added to the government's official analysis of the ongoing shortage.
Updated at 2nd October 2026 at 5:49pm
New data from the India Meteorological Department breaks down the misery by specific station. Tura shows a 59 per cent rainfall drop, Jowai is down 66 per cent, and Nongstoin sits 62 per cent below normal. Tikrikilla also took a hit, recording a 47 per cent deficit.
Amid the state-wide drying, Baghmara stands as the lone exception. It bucked the trend by logging 2,258.6 mm of rain, finishing 22 per cent above its normal average.
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