Shillong: Meghalaya is drying up. A massive 74 percent rainfall deficit has left the state’s famous waterfalls looking like shadows of their former selves. Tourists flock here for the deluge, but they are finding only trickles. The India Meteorological Department says the Bay of Bengal lacks the weather systems needed to push heavy rain inland.
IMD Shillong Director Thangjalal Lhouvum stated, "The main reason for the reduced rainfall is that there have been no favourable systems over the Bay of Bengal to support heavy monsoon downpours." Data on the department website tracks the ongoing shortfall district by district.
Hotels and guides feel the heat. Guests complain that waterfalls fail to match the photos seen online. While trails in Sohra are safer without the mud, the missing spectacle leaves many visitors feeling shortchanged. Taxi drivers enjoy the clear roads, but the broader economy relies on the spectacle of the rain.
Local businesses depend on the monsoon traffic. Homestay owners, restaurant staff, and guides need the rain to keep the cycle of spending alive. Experts still hope for a rebound, though the forecast suggests dry weeks ahead. For now, the industry banks on the state's culture and terrain to keep travelers coming.
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