By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 20: Meghalaya and other parts of the Northeast are currently experiencing frequent monsoon rains, a pattern that is expected to continue with periods of light showers and heavy downpours until the end of September.
Thangjalal Lhouvum, head of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Shillong, stated that the monsoon usually begins its withdrawal in the first week of October. However, he noted that this year, there’s a possibility of an earlier withdrawal.
While the region is currently seeing frequent rainfall, Lhouvum said that the downpour will likely subside temporarily before intensifying again toward the end of the month.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted a varied weather pattern across the state from September 20 to 26. Residents in the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills can expect light to moderate showers over the weekend, with rainfall intensity increasing significantly mid-week, accompanied by warnings for heavy rain in some areas.
The daily forecast is valid from 8:30 AM IST of the given day until 8:30 AM IST the next day.
Khasi Hills region
The Khasi Hills region, including Ri-Bhoi, is forecast to have light to moderate rain or thundershowers in a few places on September 20 and 21. All districts in the Khasi Hills are under a warning for thunderstorms with lightning at isolated places from September 20 to 22.
Rainfall is predicted to become more widespread on Monday (September 22) and Tuesday (September 23), with moderate rain or thundershowers likely in many places across all Khasi Hills districts. Of particular note, East Khasi Hills has a warning for heavy rainfall alongside thunderstorms and lightning on Monday, followed by a separate heavy rainfall warning on Tuesday.
Conditions are expected to ease by Wednesday (September 24), with a return to light to moderate rain in a few places. The forecast for the latter part of the week indicates a continued decrease in rainfall, shifting to isolated light rain in some areas by September 26.
Garo Hills region
According to the IMD, for the weekend of September 20-21, most districts in the Garo Hills are likely to see light to moderate rain or thundershowers in a few places. However, South West and South Garo Hills may experience only isolated light rain on Sunday, September 21. A warning for thunderstorms with lightning is in effect for isolated places across all Garo Hills districts for the first three days of the forecast period (Sept. 20-22).
The weather is expected to intensify on Monday (September 22), and Tuesday (September 23). West, South, and East Garo Hills are likely to experience moderate rain or thundershowers in many places. During this period, North and South West Garo Hills are forecast to have continued light to moderate showers in a few places. By Wednesday (September 24), the general warning shifts to “light to moderate rainfall is likely” for the entire region. The forecast for the end of the week, September 25-26, shows easing conditions, with a return to isolated light rain or thundershowers.
Jaintia Hills region
Residents in West and East Jaintia Hills can expect light to moderate rain or thundershowers in a few places on Sunday. Like other regions, a warning for thunderstorms with lightning is active for isolated places on Sunday and Monday.
The forecast shows a significant increase in precipitation early next week. On Monday and Tuesday, moderate rain or thundershowers are likely in many places across the Jaintia Hills.
A warning for heavy rainfall is in effect for West Jaintia Hills on Tuesday. For East Jaintia Hills, a more severe warning has been issued for heavy rainfall combined with thunderstorms and lightning on September 22, followed by a heavy rainfall warning on September 23.
By the end of the forecast period on September 26, the weather is expected to calm, with only isolated light rain or thundershowers likely.
