Monsoon sets in but no sign of rain in Meghalaya

SHILLONG: Meghalaya, a region where it rains almost everyday of the year, is still waiting for its share of monsoon rain this year. With streams and catchment areas running dry, the state has been reeling from hot and humid weather even though monsoon has officially entered the region.
Sanjay Bist, director of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Shillong, believes that the state has been witnessing low rainfall for the past few years because of seasonal variation in rainfall around the country which is evident from the low water level of the Umiam (Barapani) Lake.
IMD is of the view that the intensity of showers is likely to increase in a couple of days. "Monsoon is already in and the state will receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the next couple of days and hopefully compensate for the shortfall so far," Bist said.
Citing past statistics, Bist added that Meghalaya has received 1096.2 mm of rainfall last year, which is almost 25% lower than in 2017, that witnessed 1888.6 mm of rainfall. Even during 2016, rainfall received was just 1270.9 mm whereas in 2015, the amount was higher at 1548.3 mm. Apart from rain deficiency, the state has been facing an acute shortage of drinking water prompting the government to come up with a draft state water policy. The policy takes a holistic approach to conservation and encompasses budgeting, prioritising and equitisation of water supply and protection and conservation of catchment and spring shed areas.