Rainfall Plummets Across Meghalaya as Sohra and Mawsynram Face Drier August

Shillong: Meghalaya finished August with a massive 38 percent rainfall deficit. The state saw only 359.7 mm of rain against the usual 581.6 mm. The India Meteorological Department confirmed the numbers. The situation grew dire fast.

Sohra and Mawsynram are typically the wettest spots on the planet. They saw a 42 percent drop in East Khasi Hills. Eight out of 11 districts reported low rainfall totals. Weather officials noted the shift. "The rainfall situation worsened sharply in August," the department stated.

West Jaintia Hills took the hardest hit with a 75 percent deficit. West Garo Hills trailed close behind at 72 percent. West Khasi Hills and North Garo Hills followed with 60 and 58 percent drops respectively. East Garo Hills and Ri Bhoi both recorded 22 percent less than normal. East Jaintia Hills measured a 24 percent shortfall.

South Garo Hills stayed near normal with only a 9 percent deficit. Only South West Khasi Hills defied the trend. It recorded a 155 percent large excess of rain. Data for South West Garo Hills was unavailable.

This August slump follows a shaky summer. Meghalaya previously logged a 9 percent shortfall in July. June rainfall remained near normal. July saw North Garo Hills hit a 22 percent deficit while South West Garo Hills stayed normal. Now, almost the whole state is dry.