Guwahati, Oct. 2 -- Meghalaya, home to some of the wettest places on Earth, has emerged as one of the starkest examples of the Northeast's extraordinary southwest monsoon failure this year.

While the Northeast recorded its lowest southwest monsoon rainfall since 1901, Meghalaya received just 1,077.1 mm of rain against its normal 2,695.3 mm - a deficit of 60%, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The figures point to a striking reversal in a region better known for intense monsoon rains than prolonged rainfall shortages.

The IMD said East and Northeast India received 1,017.1 mm during June-September 2026, the lowest seasonal rainfall in its 125-year rainfall series dating back to 1901.

For Assam, Meghalaya and Arunac...