Shillong, June 23, 2026: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today chaired a meeting of the Meghalaya Climate Council at the State Guest House, Taraghar, to review the State’s preparedness measures and response strategies in view of the potential impacts of a predicted El Niño event.
The meeting brought together representatives from various government departments, technical experts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), Public Health Engineering (PHE), Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, and other stakeholders to assess possible risks and formulate immediate, medium-term and long-term interventions.
The meeting was convened in view of forecasts indicating the possible development of El Niño conditions. El Niño is a climate phenomenon characterized by unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which can alter global weather patterns.
In India, El Niño events are often associated with changes in monsoon behaviour, including reduced rainfall, prolonged dry spells, extreme weather events and impacts on agriculture and water resources.
Chairing the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for proactive planning and preparedness to minimize the impact of any extreme weather conditions that may arise from El Niño-related climatic variations.
He stressed that while the exact impact on Meghalaya remains uncertain, the State must prepare in advance rather than respond after adverse conditions emerge.
A presentation made before the Council highlighted that rising sea surface temperatures associated with El Niño could potentially affect rainfall patterns, agriculture, water resources, public health, disaster management and livelihoods.
The Council was informed that while El Niño has historically produced varying impacts across regions, changing climatic conditions warrant heightened preparedness and coordinated action.
The Meghalaya Climate Council presented assessments on rainfall trends, groundwater recharge, soil moisture levels, vulnerable agricultural blocks and water resource availability across the State.
Officials informed the meeting that extensive mapping and vulnerability assessments have already been undertaken to identify areas requiring priority interventions, particularly with regard to water security.
The Chief Minister directed all departments to convert preparedness plans into actionable measures with clearly defined responsibilities and timelines.
He stated that the Meghalaya Climate Council would serve as the State-level platform for coordinating preparedness efforts and monitoring potential El Niño impacts across sectors.
Discussions focused extensively on water security, which was identified as one of the most critical areas requiring immediate attention.
The meeting reviewed measures including desiltation and restoration of existing ponds and reservoirs, construction of new water harvesting structures, creation of additional water storage facilities, groundwater recharge initiatives, catchment area protection and watershed management interventions.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of accelerating implementation of ongoing soil and water conservation projects and directed departments to identify practical measures that can be implemented over the next six to twelve months.
To strengthen community preparedness, the Chief Minister called for district-level awareness programmes and consultations involving local institutions, village bodies, self-help groups and community organisations.
He stressed that preparedness efforts should be transformed into a people’s movement, with communities actively participating in water conservation, protection of catchment areas and other resilience-building measures.
The Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department informed the meeting that district-level contingency plans have already been prepared and that sowing activities across the State are progressing normally.
Officials stated that adequate seeds and planting materials are being made available while preparations are underway to promote short-duration crop varieties, efficient water management practices and expanded crop insurance coverage where required.
The department also highlighted efforts to expand natural farming practices and strengthen support systems for farmers in vulnerable areas.
The Chief Minister directed the department to ensure timely availability of seeds and planting materials and to strengthen outreach efforts so that farmers are adequately prepared for any potential climatic disruptions.
He also stressed the need to improve irrigation support and explore greater adoption of solar-powered pumping systems where feasible.
Officials from the IMD briefed the meeting on current weather forecasts, rainfall patterns and early warning systems. While noting that strong El Niño events have not always resulted in adverse outcomes for Meghalaya, IMD officials emphasized the importance of preparedness and continuous monitoring.
The Chief Minister directed concerned departments to strengthen dissemination of weather advisories and early warning information through social media platforms, local communication channels and community networks to ensure timely outreach to citizens.
The Public Health Engineering Department presented its contingency plans for drinking water supply management. The department informed the meeting that critical water sources across the State are under continuous monitoring and that plans have been prepared for deployment of water tankers, emergency response mechanisms and water quality management measures in the event of prolonged dry spells.
Discussions also focused on strengthening district-level coordination systems, establishing mechanisms for rapid response to water shortages and ensuring availability of water purification materials and treatment solutions.
The meeting also discussed innovative approaches to strengthen emergency water supply systems, including expanding the availability of water tankers and improving local response capacities in vulnerable areas.
The Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department informed the Council that advance lifting and stocking of food grains and essential commodities are being undertaken to ensure food security in the event of supply disruptions.
The department also indicated that price monitoring mechanisms would be strengthened to track essential commodities and prevent shortages or abnormal price fluctuations.
The meeting underscored the role of forests, sacred groves and ecosystem-based approaches in building climate resilience. Officials informed the Council that efforts are underway to expand Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) initiatives and develop broader models focused on water security, catchment protection and conservation of natural resources.
The Chief Minister observed that healthy forest ecosystems serve as natural buffers against both excessive rainfall and prolonged dry periods and emphasized the importance of strengthening conservation efforts.
The Council further discussed the need for stronger inter-departmental coordination, improved disaster preparedness mechanisms and enhanced public awareness campaigns.
Departments were directed to identify priority interventions and establish implementation frameworks to ensure timely execution of preparedness measures.
Concluding the meeting, the Chief Minister reiterated that preparedness remains the State’s best defence against climate-related uncertainties.
He called upon all departments, institutions and communities to work collectively to safeguard water resources, agriculture, livelihoods and public welfare, while ensuring that Meghalaya remains resilient in the face of emerging climate challenges.
