In a startling reversal of its legendary status, Cherrapunji, historically one of the wettest places on Earth, is on course for its driest monsoon season ever recorded. The iconic town, located at the Sohra weather station, has received a mere 3,500 mm of rainfall between June 1 and August 20 a shocking 50% less than its normal average for the period.
This unprecedented deficit is a grim reflection of a larger trend affecting the entire state of Meghalaya which is currently suffering from a rainfall deficit of 43%, the highest in the country. Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that six of the state’s 11 districts are experiencing deficient rains, while two are facing a “large deficient” classification, with 60% to 99% less rainfall than normal. The worst-affected district is West Jaintia Hills, with a staggering 75% deficit as of August 26.
In stark contrast to Meghalaya’s parched landscape, other parts of India are experiencing a deluge. Surlabbi in Karnataka and Tamhini in Maharashtra have emerged as the wettest spots in the country this monsoon season. As of August 18, Surlabbi had recorded nearly 7,300 mm of rainfall, with 5,951 mm falling during the monsoon season alone. Similarly, Tamhini received 5,788 mm of rain during June and July, making it the wettest place in the country for that period, according to independent weather analysts.
The dramatic shift in rainfall patterns has led to a peculiar situation where at least 32 other weather stations across the country have received more rainfall than Cherrapunji in the first two months of the monsoon.
Independent weather forecasters are sounding the alarm. According to one forecaster, Shubham, Cherrapunji’s lowest ever monsoon rainfall was 5,401 mm in 1962. With only 40 days left in the monsoon season from August 20, the town would need to receive another 1,900 mm of rain to avoid setting a new record for the leanest monsoon ever.
This drying trend is not a new phenomenon for Meghalaya and other northeastern states. The region has been experiencing a gradual decline in rainfall over the past few decades, a trend that is becoming increasingly pronounced this year. The situation poses a serious threat to the state’s agriculture and water security, raising concerns about the long-term impact of climate change on a region historically known as the “Abode of Clouds.”