2025 was Meghalaya's warmest year since 1901, IMD climate report says

Meghalaya recorded its highest annual mean temperature since records began in 1901 last year, according to the India Meteorological Department's Statement on Climate for Meghalaya: 2025.

The report, prepared by IMD's Climate Research and Services office in Pune with inputs from the Meghalaya government, puts the state's 2025 annual mean temperature at 20.77 degrees Celsius, 0.96 degrees above the 1991-2020 average, Hub News and Northeast Now reported.

Five warmest years, all recent

The annual minimum temperature in 2025 was the highest since 1901, while the maximum temperature was the third highest. The five warmest years on record for Meghalaya are now 2025, 2023, 2024, 2021 and 2022.

Over 1901-2025, the state's mean temperature rose at 0.73 degrees per century. Maximum temperatures climbed faster, at 0.85 degrees per century, than minimum temperatures, at 0.62 degrees.

The monsoon months stood out. Maximum temperatures from June to September were 1.2 degrees above normal, making 2025 the warmest monsoon season since 1901 in terms of daytime highs.

A dry monsoon

Meghalaya received 73% of its normal annual rainfall in 2025. The southwest monsoon, which normally brings about 71.8% of the state's yearly rain, delivered just 57% of normal, a shortfall of 43%. Rain was below normal from June to October, with July the most deficient month. Winter and post-monsoon rain was also deficient, and only an excess pre-monsoon season (March-May, about 19% of annual rain) softened the overall deficit.

Of the 11 districts assessed, six had deficient rain, three normal, one large excess (South West Khasi Hills) and one large deficient (West Jaintia Hills). The Standardised Precipitation Index showed mildly wet conditions only in East Garo Hills; the rest saw varying degrees of dryness.

Long-term data from 1951 show rising rainfall in three adjoining western districts and declining rainfall elsewhere, though records for five districts were not available for that analysis.

Extremes despite the deficit

Even in a dry year, stations including Cherrapunji, Mawsynram and Shillong logged heavy to extremely heavy rain on some days, with some places topping 204.5 mm in 24 hours. The report also records floods, lightning, thunderstorms, gales and hailstorms.

The IMD says the statement is meant to support planning in agriculture, water, power, health and disaster management. It does not itself link the 2025 figures to crop yields or water supply.

The findings follow a very dry October this year, when Meghalaya received 85% less rain than normal.