Guwahati, Sep 26: The huge transformation in weather patterns at Sohra one of the wettest places on Earth troubles Roger W. Ranee’s day in day out.

There was a time, Roger W. Ranee’s an Assistant Professor at Don Bosco College, Byndihati says that for weeks, the rain never stopped, the fog covered us endlessly, and the winds reminded us of nature’s power.

“To some, it was scary, but my heart rejoiced in such weather,” he says recollecting those days when it poured endlessly.

He regrets the loss of what made Sohra feel like home. “It’s sad to see that this is no longer happening,” he adds.

Due to weather changes, there’s scarcity of water, people are getting sick often, usually when there was heavy rain or atleast fog for weeks, the hospitals are empty, this happens even today when it’s raining most don’t get sick. “I myself feel energetic, healthy & happy too when it rains” he says.

On September 22 when the mercury touched 33.1 degrees Celsius at Sohra, residents could feel how much weather patterns have changed and what needs to be done to bring those days back.

A senior official at IMD Guwahati said the Meteorological Office at Sohra recorded 33.1 ⁰C on Sep 22 which is the highest all-time maximum temperature record surpassing the previous highest record of 32.1 ⁰C on October 13, 2021.

Sohra (Cherrapunji) is located at the Southern edge of the stiff mountainous cliffs of Meghalaya in North-Eastern India and is at an altitude of about 4823 feet (1484 m) above the mean sea level. The average temperature is moderate and ranges between 11.6 °C during January (Winter) to 20.6 °C during August (Summer), respectively.

The climate changes are affecting the natural landscape, local businesses, and, most importantly, the lives of those who call this place home.

Carolus Shabong, a local resident says the decline in rainfall has brought about manifold disruptions. He says waterfalls, a symbol of Sohra’s beauty, have diminished as a sign of more profound changes. “The natural spring water, once a reliable source for drinking, is depleting, affecting the community’s access to water,” he says. Additionally, tourism has taken a hit. “Tourism-related businesses are suffering because the rain isn’t as heavy as it used to be,” Carolus notes, emphasizing how intertwined weather and livelihoods are in the area.

Miss Dephie Ranee, a student from Sohra, feels sad because the earth is drier, angry because it weakens her, and surprised because she have never experienced such heat in Sohra before. The increasing dryness has led to various challenges for the community, including a growing scarcity of water, rising dust levels, and even heat waves. “Less water is available, and dust is everywhere,” Dephie adds. The rising temperatures are also giving way to health concerns, with more people in the area reporting issues tied to the heat.

The latest study conducted by researchers from the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has revealed significant future changes in the climate of Sohra (Cherrapunji), known for its extreme weather conditions.

The study suggests that in the future, precipitation will increase during the monsoons, and the temperature extremes will increase during the winter season. The researchers indicate that Sohra may witness a dry and harsh winter as the precipitation change is negligible and the temperature change is highest during this season in future periods.

“This warming trend is attributed to increased greenhouse gas emissions and aerosol concentrations,” the study said.

Results show that for all the scenarios, the projected maximum temperature will increase every month throughout the year in future periods. The highest change in maximum temperature is shown by January month (2.6-4.3 °C) in all the scenarios during the future. It is observed that the change in maximum temperature increases from March reaches a peak during July, and then decreases till Sep. Again, it starts rising in October, peaks in January and goes down till March. This indicates that the summer and winter months will be most affected in the future as the increase in daytime temperature is much higher relative to the other months.

Residents of Sohra are left hoping for a future where nature’s balance can be restored.

Also Read: Meghalaya Govt forms committee to address tourist taxis’ concerns

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