Shillong, Sep 2: Nine out of Meghalaya’s 12 districts were deficient in rainfall compared to the norm in August and the situation may only improve slightly in September.
According to data provided by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) today, only South West Khasi Hills saw more precipitation than normal – 270.40cm compared to 146.74cm, an increase of 84 per cent, which puts it in the ‘large excess’ category.
All the other 11 districts saw less rain than normal, though two of these (East Garo Hills at -12 percent and South Garo Hills at -1 percent) were in the normal category as the range extends from -19 per cent to +19 per cent.
A further six districts were ‘deficient’ – North Garo Hills (-56 per cent), West Garo Hills (-56 per cent), West Khasi Hills (-55 per cent), East Jaintia Hills (-54 per cent), Ri-Bhoi (-42 per cent) and East Khasi Hills (-29 per cent).
South West Garo Hills (-75 per cent) and West Jaintia Hills (-74 per cent) experienced large deficiencies. SWGH received a mere 37.10cm of rain compared to the normal 146.74cm.
EKH usually receives the most rainfall in the state, with the norm being 373.32cm. This August, however, it recorded only 265.75cm. WJH and EJH also typically clock more than 370cm of rain each in August but this year the figure was 95.93cm and 170.35cm respectively.
According to the latest IMD prediction, Meghalaya should catch up a little with significant rainfall expected from the second week of this month, though forecasts are flexible. Temperatures will also continue to be higher than what is usually the case in September.
Rainfall has been declining in Meghalaya for decades, though this year appears to be particularly bad. In that same time, average temperatures have been rising in the state, with 2023 the hottest year on record, averaging at 1.125 degrees Celsius above the norm, which is calculated based on figures from 1981 to 2010. 2021 and 2022 were also particularly warm years.
