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Weather
Meghalaya sees 85% rainfall deficit in October amid weak monsoon, IMD says
✍️ India Today NE
🗓 03 Nov 2026, 11:01 AM
👁 16
The India Meteorological Department reported that Meghalaya recorded an 85% shortfall in October rainfall, reflecting a continuation of the deficient monsoon that began earlier this season.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) released its latest monsoon assessment on Tuesday, indicating that the state of Meghalaya experienced an 85 per cent deficit in rainfall for the month of October. The shortfall is measured against the long‑term average for the month and follows a season‑wide trend of below‑normal precipitation across the Northeastern region.
Such a pronounced deficit threatens agricultural output in the state, where paddy, maize and horticultural crops depend heavily on timely monsoon rains. Water reservoirs and river levels are also expected to dip, raising concerns for drinking water supply in rural communities that rely on surface water sources.
State officials have urged farmers to adopt water‑saving practices and are coordinating with the IMD to monitor further rainfall patterns. The department warned that if the deficit persists into the winter months, the region could face heightened risk of drought‑related challenges, prompting the government to consider emergency relief measures.
Historically, Meghalaya records some of the highest rainfall in India, making this deficit particularly notable. Experts note that the current shortfall aligns with broader climate variability observed across the subcontinent, underscoring the need for adaptive water‑management strategies.
Such a pronounced deficit threatens agricultural output in the state, where paddy, maize and horticultural crops depend heavily on timely monsoon rains. Water reservoirs and river levels are also expected to dip, raising concerns for drinking water supply in rural communities that rely on surface water sources.
State officials have urged farmers to adopt water‑saving practices and are coordinating with the IMD to monitor further rainfall patterns. The department warned that if the deficit persists into the winter months, the region could face heightened risk of drought‑related challenges, prompting the government to consider emergency relief measures.
Historically, Meghalaya records some of the highest rainfall in India, making this deficit particularly notable. Experts note that the current shortfall aligns with broader climate variability observed across the subcontinent, underscoring the need for adaptive water‑management strategies.