Meghalaya has recorded a 74% monsoon rainfall deficit, prompting the chief minister to call climate change an existential crisis and urge immediate action to protect food, water and livelihoods.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has described climate change as an “existential crisis” and urged immediate, coordinated action to prepare for the possible effects of El Nino after the state recorded an alarming rainfall deficit of more than 70 percent in June.
Speaking at a workshop titled “Developing State Response for El Nino Preparedness: Strengthening Food and Water Security” on Friday, Sangma said climate change is no longer a distant threat but a reality already affecting governments and communities.
“Climate change is no longer a future challenge; it is our present reality. While forecasts may change, preparedness cannot wait and there has to be proactive and collaborative efforts involving government departments, communities and institutions are essential to minimise the potential impacts of climate change,” he said.
The chief minister said authorities could not afford to delay preparations while waiting for greater certainty in weather forecasts.
“We cannot wait for perfect plans. We must act now. Every step we take today will shape the resilience of future generations, while natural farming provides a sustainable pathway to mitigate the effects of climate change, while stressing the need to develop practices suited to Meghalaya’s unique conditions,” he said.
His remarks came as Meghalaya, one of India’s wettest states, faces a severe monsoon shortfall and growing concerns over the likely impact of El Nino on rainfall, agriculture and water resources.
El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon marked by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. It influences global weather systems by altering wind patterns, atmospheric pressure and rainfall distribution.
The concern comes as Meghalaya has recorded the highest monsoon rainfall deficit among all northeastern states this season.
According to the latest data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the state received only 192.9 mm of rainfall between June 1 and July 1 against the normal 750.8 mm, placing it in the “large deficient” category.
A weather department official said Meghalaya recorded just 3 mm of rainfall on July 1 compared with the normal 28.7 mm, resulting in a deficit of nearly 90 percent.
Officials said the state’s cumulative monsoon rainfall stood 74 percent below normal, raising serious concerns about the months ahead.
The sharp decline in rainfall has intensified worries over its potential impact on agriculture, water availability and Meghalaya’s ecologically sensitive environment.
The deficit has come at a crucial stage of the kharif season when farmers across the state are engaged in paddy cultivation and horticulture activities. Experts warned that a prolonged dry spell could delay sowing, reduce soil moisture and affect crop yields if rainfall does not improve in the coming weeks.
Environmental experts also cautioned that deficient rainfall could reduce river flows, affect groundwater recharge and place additional pressure on biodiversity and the tourism sector, which attracts thousands of visitors during the monsoon season.
The situation is particularly striking because Meghalaya is home to Sohra, also known as Cherrapunji, and Mawsynram, two places globally recognised for receiving some of the highest annual rainfall in the world.
According to the IMD, East and Northeast India together recorded a cumulative rainfall deficit of 40 percent during the same period.
Among the northeastern states, Meghalaya recorded the highest rainfall shortfall followed by Manipur at 71 percent, Nagaland at 51 percent and Arunachal Pradesh at 45 percent. Sikkim was the only state in the region to receive above-normal rainfall, recording a surplus of 15 percent.
This post is republished from NDTV.
