SHILLONG, SEPT 1:

Sohra and Mawsynram, renowned for their record-breaking rainfall, witnessed deficient rainfall yet again as Meghalaya recorded a 38 per cent shortfall in August, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The state received 359.7 mm of rainfall during August against the normal 581.6 mm, the weather office said.

At the district level, West Jaintia Hills recorded the highest deficit at 75 per cent, followed by West Garo Hills at 72 per cent, West Khasi Hills at 60 per cent and North Garo Hills at 58 per cent, it added.

East Khasi Hills, home to Sohra and Mawsynram, recorded a 42 per cent deficit, while East Garo Hills and Ri Bhoi recorded 22 per cent each and East Jaintia Hills 24 per cent below normal.

South Garo Hills was near normal with a 9 per cent deficit, while South West Khasi Hills recorded a large excess of 155 per cent, the highest among the districts.

Rainfall data for South West Garo Hills was not available, the report said.

August’s deficit followed a 9 per cent shortfall in July, while rainfall in June was near normal. In July, North Garo Hills recorded the highest deficit at 22 per cent, while South West Garo Hills received normal rainfall, with no departure from the normal.

The sharp deterioration in August was reflected across most districts, with eight of the 11 districts recording deficient rainfall, while only South West Khasi Hills registered a large excess, the IMD data showed. (Source: PTI)