Severe Rainfall Hits Meghalaya, Mawsynram Records 530 mm in 24 Hours

Meghalaya has been hit by intense rainfall, particularly in Mawsynram, which recorded an astonishing 530 mm in just 24 hours. This downpour has caused significant damage to infrastructure, including a national highway, disrupting connectivity to Dawki. Meteorologists compare this rainfall to what typically falls in cities like Jodhpur over six months. Despite a forecast for normal monsoon conditions in the Northeast, this heavy rain raises concerns about potential impacts on local communities and infrastructure. Efforts are underway to restore connectivity as officials assess the situation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 22, 2026, 10:07 IST

Heavy Rainfall in Meghalaya

File image of heavy downpour in Mawsynram (Photo: Concord Travels & Tours/meta)

Shillong, June 21: Parts of Meghalaya have been drenched by heavy rainfall, with Mawsynram in the East Khasi Hills district experiencing an astonishing 530 mm of rain within just 24 hours.

Meteorological experts noted that this amount of precipitation in Mawsynram in a single night is comparable to the total rainfall that cities like Jodhpur or Bikaner receive over a span of more than six months.

Other areas also reported significant rainfall, including RKM Sohra with 470 mm and Mawkyrwat with 390 mm.

The relentless rain has caused damage to a section of the national highway that links Shillong to Dawki, located near the Bangladesh border.

According to officials from the district administration, rainwater has eroded part of the road beneath Laitlyngkot town, approximately 35 km south of Shillong.

While no injuries have been reported, the damage has interrupted road access to Dawki, potentially affecting traffic flow in the area.

Teams from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and contractors are currently engaged in efforts to restore connectivity.

Additional rainfall figures include Shella (100 mm), Williamnagar (90 mm), Mawryngkneng (90 mm), Jowai (80 mm), Barapani (70 mm), and Ratacherra (70 mm), as per data from the weather department.

This heavy rainfall follows a recent forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which indicated a generally favorable monsoon outlook for the Northeast, despite predicting below-normal rainfall for the rest of the country.

The IMD's seasonal forecast released in May suggested that Northeast India, including Assam and Meghalaya, is expected to receive normal monsoon rainfall, defined as 94 to 106 percent of the Long Period Average (LPA), during the southwest monsoon season from June to September.

While the national monsoon is anticipated to be below normal at around 90 percent of the LPA, the Northeast has been highlighted as a region likely to experience normal seasonal rainfall this year.

The recent downpour in Meghalaya coincides with the onset of the monsoon season, with Mawsynram and Sohra once again achieving some of the highest rainfall totals in the area.