How will Meghalaya address its 50% rainfall deficiency and water shortage?

Shillong: Meghalaya has experienced a 50% rainfall deficiency so far this year, making conditions difficult for farmers, chief minister Conrad K Sangma told the legislative assembly on Tuesday.

He said the state govt is actively working to utilise the waters of all rivers in Meghalaya to address the crisis. Sangma also informed the house that a climate council, chaired by the CM, has been formed to address various environmental concerns, including the issue of drinking water. He highlighted that Meghalaya was the first state in India to formulate a comprehensive water policy aimed at conserving and rejuvenating streams, rivers, and catchment areas. To improve drinking water supply in Shillong, the govt has explored multiple options and has currently zeroed in on sourcing water from the Umngot River in Dawki. However, the proposal remains in the planning stage. Earlier, during Question Hour, opposition legislator Brightstarwell Marbaniang of the Voice of the People Party raised concerns about water availability. In response, public health engineering minister Marcuise N Marak said the total daily drinking water requirement for Shillong city — including areas not covered under the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (Phase 1 and 2) — is 55.83 million litres.

Currently, the city receives 41.78 million litres of drinking water daily, resulting in a shortfall of 14.05 million litres. Marak added that the deficit is expected to reduce significantly upon completion of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (Phase 3).