Meghalaya’s Monsoon Rainfall Deficit

Why in News?

Meghalaya, one of India’s wettest states, recorded the highest rainfall deficit in India during the 2026 southwest monsoon.

• Mawsynram and Cherrapunji
  • Located in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills.
  • They are recognized as some of the rainiest places on Earth.
  • However, the East Khasi Hills district experienced a 53% rainfall deficit during the 2026 monsoon season.
• West Jaintia Hills – This district recorded the highest rainfall deficit at the district level, amounting to 79%.
• Southwest Khasi Hills – The only district with excess rainfall:
  As of 15 September, rainfall was 58% above normal levels.
• Primary Vulnerability – Agriculture in Meghalaya largely depends on rainfall, which sustains streams and springs that provide irrigation and support crop production.
• Springs – Approximately 80% of villages depend on springs as their primary sources of drinking water and irrigation.
• Human activities such as:
  • Mining,
  • Unsustainable agricultural practices, and
  • Forest resource extraction.
• These activities have contributed to the drying or reduced discharge of approximately 50% of springs, as reported in the cited MBDA conference paper.
• Significance
• Approximately 77% of Meghalaya's working population is engaged in agricultural activities.
• Agriculture accounts for approximately 21% of the state's gross domestic product.
• The total cropped area constitutes 15.28% of the state's geographical area.
• The approximate cropped area is 343,000 hectares.
• The net irrigated area is limited to 31,796 hectares.
• IMD study – A 30-year analysis (1989–2018) found a significant decreasing trend in monsoon rainfall in Meghalaya.
• The 2026 rainfall deficit is significant both as a single-season anomaly and as part of an ongoing long-term decline in rainfall.

Reference

Down To Earth | Meghalaya’s Rain Deficit