Sohra (popularly known as Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya, has recorded an alarming decline in its rainfall this June. The region witnessed a 67% drop compared to the normal monsoon average, a direct and visible symptom of worsening climate change in India’s Northeast.
Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that Sohra received only 1092.8 mm of rain in June 2024, far below its long-term average of 3281.3 mm. This marks one of the steepest drops in recent decades for the iconic hill town.
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Sohra June Rainfall Drop Sparks Climate Alarm
The sudden and steep Sohra June rainfall drop has left climate scientists concerned. For decades, the region has attracted tourists, researchers, and meteorologists due to its legendary rainfall records. However, this dramatic decline is yet another indicator of changing monsoon patterns.
According to IMD experts, delayed monsoon onset, erratic cloud formation, and weak cyclonic systems are some of the factors behind the shortfall. “This isn’t just a weather anomaly—it’s part of a bigger climate shift,” said an IMD official from Shillong.
The phenomenon also indicates rising moisture imbalance in the Bay of Bengal, which plays a critical role in feeding monsoon clouds into Meghalaya’s southern ridges.
Local Communities Feel the Effects
For residents of Sohra, the impact of the June rainfall drop is not just scientific—it’s personal and immediate. Farmers who rely on rain-fed agriculture have already reported lower soil moisture and failing crops. Streams that usually swell in June are running dry. Even the famous waterfalls such as Nohkalikai and Dainthlen appear visibly weaker this year.
“We are used to heavy downpours that last for days. But this year, it felt like a dry spell,” said Elphinstone Khongthaw, a resident of Lower Sohra. “Without the rains, everything changes—our farms, our water sources, our rhythm of life.”
Local businesses that depend on monsoon tourism have also suffered. Fewer visitors arrived this June, disrupting seasonal income that many families depend on.
Experts Warn of Broader Implications
Climate scientists and ecologists warn that the Sohra June rainfall drop is not an isolated event. It’s part of a broader trend of uneven and unreliable rainfall across the Northeast. Some regions receive sudden cloudbursts, while others face drought-like conditions within the same week.
Dr. Soni Ryntathiang, a climate researcher based in Meghalaya, explained that shifts in upper atmospheric pressure and ocean temperatures are making monsoon behavior harder to predict. “Cherrapunji’s drop in rainfall is a wake-up call. If climate change can affect Sohra, it can hit anywhere,” she said.
Moreover, reduced rainfall disrupts forest health, soil integrity, and aquifer recharge, all of which are essential for long-term sustainability in the hilly terrain.
Government Urged to Act Quickly
Environmental groups have urged the Meghalaya government to take urgent steps in response to this rainfall decline. They recommend:
- Installing more weather monitoring stations in vulnerable hill districts
- Supporting farmers with drought-resilient seeds and water harvesting systems
- Launching community awareness drives on climate resilience
- Revising forest and land-use policies to reduce carbon impact
The State Climate Change Centre in Shillong has also confirmed that rainfall monitoring in Sohra will now be intensified, and the data shared with national climate task forces.
Meanwhile, local tribal councils (Dorbar Shnongs) are planning to revive traditional rainwater storage systems and forest protection measures.
The Sohra June rainfall drop is not just a regional issue—it’s a national climate warning. When one of the wettest places on Earth turns unusually dry, the message is clear: climate change is here, and it’s reshaping even the most weather-reliable landscapes. Meghalaya now stands at a critical point, and how it responds could serve as a model—or a missed opportunity—for climate action across the country.
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