Shillong: Meghalaya recorded an “alarming” rainfall deficit of more than 80% in June, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma warned, calling the situation an “existential crisis” and urging immediate action at a workshop on El Niño preparedness held in the city on Friday. He said the shortfall threatens water and food security and demanded coordinated measures across government and communities to reduce risks.
“Climate change is no longer a future challenge; it is our present reality,” Sangma said, adding that while forecasts may change, preparedness cannot wait. “We must strengthen our resilience through sustainable solutions like natural farming, water conservation, spring rejuvenation and community-led action,” he told officials, experts and stakeholders gathered to develop the state response for El Niño.
Sangma pressed for proactive, flexible and data-driven planning, warning against waiting for perfect plans. “We cannot wait for perfect plans. We must act now. Every step we take today will shape the resilience of future generations,” he said, urging departments to adopt adaptive approaches guided by local realities.
Highlighting the state’s push for natural farming, Sangma noted Meghalaya’s efforts have won national recognition and called for continued innovation to fit the state’s unique landscape. “Natural farming offers us a sustainable and practical pathway to reduce the impact of climate change. However, we must innovate and adapt practices suited to Meghalaya’s unique conditions,” he added.
He also underlined the need to integrate multiple strategies — including water conservation, spring rejuvenation and the construction of water retention structures such as check dams and reservoirs — and prioritized community participation. Sangma called for greater involvement from elected representatives, traditional institutions, self‑help groups and students to build widespread awareness and ownership of resilience measures.
The workshop convened senior government officials, deputy commissioners, agricultural experts and key stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening Meghalaya’s preparedness against El Niño and ensuring long-term food and water security.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/rain-deficiency-alarming-in-meghalaya-cautions-cm/articleshow/132168862.cms
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Publish Date: 2026-07-03 23:43:00
