Meghalaya had its warmest year since 1901 in 2025. The state's annual average temperature reached 20.77 degrees Celsius.
At the same time, the state received much less rain than normal during the southwest monsoon. The shortfall was 43 per cent.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) released these findings in its climate statement for Meghalaya.
The National Herald and Northeast Now both reported on it.
Key points
- The average temperature reached 20.77 degrees Celsius, the highest since 1901.
- Monsoon rain was 43 per cent below normal, and July had the steepest shortfall.
- Rain varied widely across the 11 districts studied.
- Heavy rain still fell at several stations, including Cherrapunji, Mawsynram and Shillong.
So how much warmer was 2025 than usual?
The annual average was 0.96 degrees above the 1991 to 2020 long-period average.
Both daytime and night temperatures stayed above normal for most of the year.
The lowest temperature of the year was the highest recorded since 1901. The highest temperature ranked third.
The trend over the long run is also clear.
Since 1901, the state's average temperature has risen at about 0.73 degrees Celsius per century.
The warming was strongest during the monsoon.
Daytime highs were 1.2 degrees above normal that season, the warmest monsoon on record since 1901.
How did the rain fall so short this year?
Meghalaya got 73 per cent of its normal annual rain in 2025. Southwest monsoon rain was just 57 per cent of normal.
The monsoon usually brings about 71.8 per cent of the state's yearly rain. So a weak monsoon has a big effect on the total.
Heavy rain before the monsoon, about 19.1 per cent of the yearly total, eased the overall gap.
Still, rain stayed mostly below normal from June to October, with July the worst month.
How did rainfall differ across the districts?
Of the 11 districts studied, six had deficient rain.
Three got normal rain, one had large excess rain, and one had a large deficit.
South West Khasi Hills received large excess rain. West Jaintia Hills had a large deficit.
Only East Garo Hills had mildly wet conditions.
Over a longer period, from 1951 to 2024, three neighbouring districts in western Meghalaya showed rising rain.
The other districts showed declines, and data for five districts was not available.
Even so, several places saw intense rain during the year.
Stations at Cherrapunji, Mawsynram and Shillong recorded heavy, very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall.
Explainer
What happened before
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has kept climate records for Meghalaya dating back to 1901.
- Between 1901 and 2025, the state's annual average temperature rose at 0.73 degrees Celsius per century.
Why it matters
The report shows a warmer state with uneven rain, which matters for people living across Meghalaya's districts.
What to watch next
- The sources do not say what steps will follow from this report.
