Meghalaya is known for some of the heaviest rainfall on Earth. But this monsoon, the state has recorded India’s highest rainfall deficit — 59 per cent below normal as of September 15, 2026.
Ten of Meghalaya’s 11 districts have recorded deficient or large deficient rainfall, with West Jaintia Hills facing a 79 per cent shortfall. Even East Khasi Hills, home to Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, has received 53 per cent less rain than normal.
Why does a dry monsoon matter so much in one of India’s wettest states? With much of Meghalaya’s agriculture dependent on rainfall-fed streams and springs, a prolonged rainfall deficit could put pressure on farming and drinking water sources.
Around 80 per cent of villages rely heavily on springs for drinking water and irrigation, according to a Meghalaya Basin Development Authority paper. And this is not just a one-season concern. An IMD analysis found a significant declining trend in Meghalaya’s monsoon rainfall between 1989 and 2018. So, what happens when Meghalaya gets less rain?