EnvironmentMeghalaya
Meghalaya recorded its warmest year since 1901 in 2025, with the annual mean temperature climbing to 20.77 degrees Celsius, even as the state experienced a significant shortfall in southwest monsoon rainfall, according to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) report. The state's annual mean temperature was 0.96 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average, placing 2025 at the top of Meghalaya's temperature records dating back to 1901. The report also found that the annual minimum temperature was the highest on record, while the maximum temperature ranked third highest. The findings are part of the Statement on Climate for Meghalaya: 2025, prepared by the IMD's Climate Research and Services office in Pune in collaboration with the Meghalaya government. The report examines the state's long-term temperature and rainfall patterns, alongside extreme weather events recorded over the years. The report highlighted a steady rise in temperatures across Meghalaya over the past 125 years. Between 1901 and 2025, the state's annual mean temperature increased at a rate of 0.73 degrees Celsius per century. Maximum temperatures rose at a faster rate of 0.85 degrees Celsius per century, while minimum temperatures increased by 0.62 degrees Celsius per century. The warming trend was particularly evident during the southwest monsoon season. Maximum temperatures during the period were 1.2 degrees Celsius above normal, making 2025 the warmest monsoon season on record in terms of maximum temperature since 1901. Southwest Monsoon Rainfall 43% Below Normal While temperatures reached record levels, Meghalaya experienced a substantial rainfall deficit during 2025. The state received only 73 per cent of its annual long-period average rainfall, with southwest monsoon precipitation falling to 57 per cent of normal, translating into a 43 per cent deficit. The monsoon season normally accounts for 71.8 per cent of the state's annual rainfall. Above-normal rainfall during the pre-monsoon season, which contributes around 19.1 per cent of annual precipitation, partly compensated for the shortfall. However, rainfall remained largely below normal between June and October, with July recording the highest deficit. The winter, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons also experienced deficient rainfall. A district-level assessment covering 11 districts revealed considerable differences in rainfall distribution. Six districts recorded deficient rainfall, three received normal rainfall, one reported large excess rainfall, and another experienced a large deficit. South West Khasi Hills recorded large excess rainfall, while West Jaintia Hills witnessed large deficient rainfall. The IMD's Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI), which measures wet and dry conditions, showed mildly wet conditions only in East Garo Hills. The remaining districts experienced varying levels of dryness. The report also pointed to contrasting rainfall patterns across Meghalaya over the longer term. An analysis of annual rainfall between 1951 and 2024 showed an increasing trend in three adjoining districts in western Meghalaya, while the remaining districts recorded declining trends. Data for five districts were unavailable for this assessment. Despite the overall rainfall deficit, several locations experienced intense spells of rain during 2025. Heavy, very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall events were recorded at multiple weather stations, including Cherrapunji, Mawsynram and Shillong. Some locations received more than 204.5 mm of rainfall within 24 hours, crossing the IMD's threshold for extremely heavy rainfall. The assessment also documented incidents involving floods, lightning, thunderstorms, gale and hailstorms during the year, underlining the uneven distribution of rainfall across the state. According to the IMD, the findings could provide a scientific basis for planning in key sectors, including agriculture, water management, power, healthcare and disaster management. However, the report did not directly assess how the temperature rise and rainfall deficit affected crop production, water availability or household livelihoods. Such impacts would require separate studies.
