Meghalaya Sees Historic July Dry Spell as Rainfall Deficits Mount

Shillong: Meghalaya faced a bone-dry July. The India Meteorological Department reports 10 of the state’s 11 districts recorded below-normal rainfall. Only South West Khasi Hills bucked the trend with an 83 per cent surplus. The rest of the state struggled.

East Khasi Hills, home to the rain-soaked towns of Sohra and Mawsynram, missed its mark. The district recorded 1,403 mm of rain against a 2,796 mm average, a 50 per cent deficit. West Jaintia Hills took the biggest hit with a 78 per cent decline. West Garo Hills followed with a 69 per cent shortfall after receiving just 339 mm compared to its 1,092 mm average.

East Garo Hills, Ri Bhoi, South Garo Hills, and South West Garo Hills hit the severely deficient category. West Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, West Garo Hills, North Garo Hills, and East Jaintia Hills landed in the largely deficient group. Meteorological experts point to weak rain-bearing systems over the Bay of Bengal and an absence of monsoon troughs.

The dry trend hits the whole Northeast. Meghalaya leads the region with a 58 per cent combined rainfall deficiency for June and July. Officials link these conditions to El Niño, which may spark hotter, drier weather across Asia through 2026. Experts worry about the Kharif season.

Agricultural scientists issued a stark warning: "The lack of rain could adversely affect soil moisture, groundwater recharge, and river flows."

The Southwest monsoon provides nearly 70 per cent of India’s annual rainfall. With many farmers relying solely on rain-fed fields, the lack of water creates a grim outlook for the regional agrarian economy. Meanwhile, in Manipur, officials report that drought conditions compounded by ongoing ethnic conflict have severely strained local farming operations.