Shillong, Oct 1: Meghalaya, with some of the wettest towns on Earth, has recorded a 60 per cent deficit in the 2026 Southwest Monsoon, reflecting a broader collapse over the entire North East.
According to a press release issued today by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Meghalaya received a cumulative 1,077.1mm of rain from June 1 to September 30 this year against the seasonal normal of 2,695.3mm, registering an overall deficiency of 60 per cent. The monsoon advanced over Meghalaya on June 9.
The IMD said the North East as a whole recorded its lowest Southwest Monsoon rainfall since records began in 1901. East and North East India received only 1,017.1mm during June-September. For Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, the shortfall persisted through all four months – June to September.
At the national level too, the monsoon ended below normal with India receiving 759.4mm, the 13th-lowest since 1901 and fourth-lowest since 2001.
Out of 11 districts in Meghalaya for which data is available, South West Khasi Hills was the only district to record excess rainfall with 2,727.7mm against the normal 1,851.6mm, a surplus of 47 per cent.
Three districts recorded deficient rainfall, namely East Khasi Hills with -54 per cent, Ri-Bhoi with -48 per cent and South Garo Hills with -51 per cent.
Seven districts recorded large deficient rainfall – East Garo Hills at -65 per cent, East Jaintia Hills -66 per cent, North Garo Hills -66 per cent, South West Garo Hills -70 per cent, West Garo Hills -71 per cent, West Jaintia Hills -79 per cent and West Khasi Hills -67 per cent.
The highest deficiency was in West Jaintia Hills which received only 930.7mm against the normal 4,490.6mm, followed by West Garo Hills which received 533.9mm against 1,868.1mm and South West Garo Hills with 553.6mm against 1,851.6mm. East Khasi Hills recorded 2,013mm against 4,380.1mm.
Sohra and Mawsynram, generally known as the wettest places in the world, saw sharp declines. Station-wise data from Sohra recorded 5,277.2mm received against a norm of 8,301.1mm (-36 per cent) and Mawsynram recorded 6,169.1mm against 9,338.4mm (-34 per cent).
Other stations also recorded deficits, such as Tura at -59 per cent, Jowai -66 per cent, Nongstoiñ -62 per cent and Tikrikilla -47 per cent. Baghmara was the only station with excess, recording +22 per cent with 2,258.6mm against 1,851.7mm.
The IMD noted that September did not change the overall picture. Although Assam experienced heavy to very heavy rainfall on some days towards the end of the month, the spells were not enough to offset the seasonal deficit. The region also recorded a warmer September with East and North East India recording a mean temperature of 27.95 degrees Celsius, 0.74 degrees above normal and the sixth-highest September mean temperature since 1901.
The IMD expects below normal rainfall over most parts of the country in October, while some areas of East India may receive normal to above normal rainfall. Most of North East India is expected to see normal maximum temperatures and normal to below normal minimum temperatures.
