Meghalaya Records Severe Rainfall Deficit Throughout July

Shillong: Meghalaya just finished an unusually dry July. The India Meteorological Department says ten of the state's 11 districts missed their normal rainfall targets. Only South West Khasi Hills bucked the trend, logging an 83 per cent surplus.

The dry spell hit home in East Khasi Hills. This district hosts Sohra and Mawsynram, world-famous for record-breaking downpours. They typically see 2,796 mm of rain in July. This year, they only got 1,403 mm. That is a 50 per cent deficit.

West Jaintia Hills took the hardest hit. It recorded a 78 per cent shortfall. West Garo Hills fared little better, pulling in just 339 mm against an average of 1,092 mm for a 69 per cent drop. Five other districts saw rainfall gaps between 50 and 80 per cent.

The IMD put East Garo Hills, Ri Bhoi, South Garo Hills, and South West Garo Hills in the severely deficient bucket. West Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, West Garo Hills, North Garo Hills, and East Jaintia Hills landed in the largely deficient category. Experts worry this drought threatens the kharif season. They warned that "prolonged dry conditions could reduce soil moisture, limit groundwater recharge and affect river flows across the state if the trend continues."