Shillong, Nov 7: Meghalaya recorded its warmest year since 1901 in 2025, with the annual mean temperature reaching 20.77 degrees Celsius, even as the state received 43 per cent less than normal southwest monsoon rainfall, according to an IMD report.
The findings are part of the India Meteorological Department’s ‘Statement on Climate for Meghalaya: 2025’, prepared by its Climate Research and Services office in Pune in collaboration with the Meghalaya government. The report analyses the state’s temperature trends, rainfall patterns and extreme weather events using climate records dating back to 1901.
It said the annual mean temperature of 20.77 degrees Celsius was 0.96 degrees above the long-period average of 1991-2020.
Both maximum and minimum temperatures remained above normal for most of the year, with the annual minimum temperature being the highest recorded since 1901, while the maximum temperature ranked as the third highest, the report said.
It ranked 2025 as the warmest year in Meghalaya’s recorded climate history, followed by 2023, 2024, 2021 and 2022 among the five warmest years.
Between 1901 and 2025, the state’s annual mean temperature increased at a rate of 0.73 degrees Celsius per century.
Maximum temperatures rose faster, at 0.85 degrees per century, compared with 0.62 degrees for minimum temperatures.
The warming was particularly pronounced during the southwest monsoon season, when maximum temperatures were 1.2 degrees above normal, making it the warmest monsoon season on record in terms of maximum temperature since 1901.
Despite the record warmth, Meghalaya experienced a significant shortfall in rainfall during 2025.
The state received 73 per cent of its annual long-period average rainfall, while the southwest monsoon, which contributes 71.8 per cent of the state’s annual precipitation, delivered only 57 per cent of its normal rainfall in the year.
The annual rain shortfall was partly offset by excess precipitation during the pre-monsoon season, which accounts for around 19.1 per cent of the state’s annual rainfall.
Rainfall remained predominantly below normal from June to October, with the highest deficiency recorded in July.
The assessment showed that rainfall was deficient during the winter, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, while excess pre-monsoon rainfall helped reduce the overall annual deficit.
The district-wise assessment revealed considerable variations in rainfall across Meghalaya.
Of the 11 districts covered in the 2025 analysis, six received deficient rainfall, three recorded normal precipitation, one received large excess rainfall, and one experienced large deficiency.
South West Khasi Hills recorded large excess rainfall, while West Jaintia Hills experienced large deficient rainfall.
The IMD’s Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI), used to assess wet and dry conditions, indicated mildly wet conditions only in East Garo Hills, while the remaining districts experienced varying degrees of dryness.
The report also highlighted contrasting long-term rainfall trends across the state.
An analysis of annual rainfall between 1951 and 2024 showed an increasing trend in three adjoining districts in western Meghalaya, while the remaining districts recorded a declining trend.
However, data for five districts were unavailable for the long-term analysis.
Despite the overall rainfall deficit, several parts of Meghalaya experienced episodes of intense precipitation during 2025.
The IMD recorded heavy, very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall events at multiple stations, including Cherrapunji, Mawsynram and Shillong.
Some locations recorded rainfall exceeding 204.5 mm in 24 hours, the threshold for extremely heavy rainfall under the IMD classification.
The report also documented instances of floods, lightning, thunderstorms, gale and hailstorm-related events during the year.
The coexistence of deficient seasonal rainfall and episodes of extreme precipitation highlights the uneven distribution and intensity of rainfall across the state.
The IMD assessment is intended to provide a scientific basis for planning in sectors such as agriculture, water management, power, health and disaster management.
However, the report does not establish the direct impact of the 2025 temperature and rainfall patterns on crop yields, water availability or household livelihoods, which would require separate assessments by relevant departments and researchers. (PTI)
