Guwahati: Meghalaya recorded its highest annual mean temperature since 1901 in 2025, reaching 20.77 degrees Celsius. At the same time, the state received 43 per cent less than normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon, according to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) report.
The findings appear in 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 temperature trends, rainfall patterns and extreme weather events using climate records dating back to 1901.
The state’s annual mean temperature of 20.77 degrees Celsius stood 0.96 degrees above the 1991–2020 long-period average. Both maximum and minimum temperatures remained above normal for most of the year.
The report found that Meghalaya recorded its highest annual minimum temperature since 1901, while the maximum temperature ranked third highest. The five warmest years in the state’s recorded climate history were 2025, 2023, 2024, 2021 and 2022.
Between 1901 and 2025, Meghalaya‘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 per century, while minimum temperatures increased by 0.62 degrees per century.
The warming trend was particularly pronounced during the southwest monsoon. Maximum temperatures during the season were 1.2 degrees above normal, making 2025 the warmest monsoon season on record in terms of maximum temperature since 1901.
Southwest monsoon rainfall 43% below normal
Despite the record temperatures, Meghalaya experienced a substantial rainfall deficit in 2025. The state received 73 per cent of its annual long-period average rainfall, while southwest monsoon precipitation stood at just 57 per cent of the normal level.
The southwest monsoon contributes 71.8 per cent of Meghalaya’s annual rainfall. Excess precipitation during the pre-monsoon season, which accounts for around 19.1 per cent of annual rainfall, helped reduce the overall deficit.
Rainfall remained largely below normal between June and October, with July recording the highest deficiency.
The assessment found deficient rainfall during the winter, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. However, excess pre-monsoon rainfall partly offset the shortfall.
Significant variations in district-wise rainfall
The district-level assessment revealed considerable differences in rainfall distribution across Meghalaya.
Of the 11 districts covered in the 2025 analysis, six recorded deficient rainfall, three received normal precipitation, one experienced large excess rainfall and another recorded large deficient rainfall.
South West Khasi Hills received large excess rainfall, while West Jaintia Hills recorded a large rainfall deficiency.
The IMD’s Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI), which measures wet and dry conditions, indicated mildly wet conditions only in East Garo Hills. The remaining districts experienced varying degrees of dryness.
An analysis of annual rainfall trends between 1951 and 2024 showed an increasing trend in three adjoining districts in western Meghalaya. The remaining districts recorded declining trends. However, data for five districts were unavailable for this long-term assessment.
Extreme rainfall events recorded despite overall deficit
Although Meghalaya experienced an overall rainfall deficit in 2025, several locations witnessed episodes of intense precipitation during the year.
The IMD recorded heavy, very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall at multiple monitoring 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 report also documented flood incidents, lightning, thunderstorms, gales and hailstorm-related events during the year.
The simultaneous occurrence of below-normal seasonal rainfall and episodes of intense precipitation highlights the uneven distribution and varying intensity of rainfall across Meghalaya.
The IMD assessment is intended to support planning in sectors such as agriculture, water management, power, public health and disaster management.
However, the report does not establish a direct link between the temperature and rainfall patterns recorded in 2025 and their impact on crop yields, water availability or household livelihoods. Such conclusions would require separate assessments.