Sohra: Mawsynram, which holds the world record for the highest average annual rainfall, will get a permanent India Meteorological Department (IMD) observatory for the first time.The record was recognised in World Meteorological Organization’s 2025 evaluation of weather records.Weather observations in Meghalaya began in 1902. However, IMD has so far operated in Mawsynram from a temporary setup at a PWD office, supported by an automatic weather monitoring station.PWD officials trained by IMD have been providing weather inputs from Mawsynram to the department.Sohra, also known as Cherrapunji, which holds two WMO records for the greatest 12-month rainfall and the greatest 48-hour rainfall, has had a dedicated observatory since 1902.Thangjalal Lhouvum, Scientist D at IMD Shillong, said proposals to establish observation facilities in Mawsynram and Tura, the main town in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills region, were approved last year. “It will take some time for setting up the Met facility for observation in Mawsynram as it is now in the land acquisition stage. However, the Met office for observation in Tura will become functional from next monsoon,” he added.The scientist further added, “Until now, IMD has been relying on the temporary setup at the PWD office in Mawsynram and other govt departments for inputs and automatic weather stations.”The Meghalaya Basin Development Authority operates 102 automatic weather stations across the state, while the IMD has 30. The department currently has observatories in Shillong, Sohra and Barapani.“With Mawsynram and Tura Met facility beginning, the number will go up to five,” Lhouvum said.“Once the facilities start functioning in Mawsynram and Tura, the IMD will be able to release eight observations in 24 hours, in place of one observation which is being issued in 24 hours currently. This will help in providing more accurate and real-time information and will also help the tourists as well as other places,” the scientist added.Moreover, the IMD facility at Tura will help the BSF at the Indo-Bangla border besides the common people and other govt departments, he said.Tura is the administrative headquarters and the largest town of the West Garo Hills district in Meghalaya. The Indo-Bangladesh border at Dalu (Dalo) is located about 50 km south of Tura.Moreover, IMD is going to have a Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) in Shillong and Tura soon. A DWR is a specialised tracking system that uses the Doppler effect to measure both the position and the speed of atmospheric particles like rain, snow or hail.GFX• The 1902 Cherrapunji observatory. On June 1, 1902, IMD opened a formal meteorological observatory inside the Post and Telegraph Office compound in Cherrapunji (Sohra). It utilised standardised instruments such as a 5-inch Symon’s rain gauge that were regularly inspected by trained officials.• Seismological monitoring in Shillong: In the same year, 1902, IMD also established Central Seismological Observatory in Shillong to monitor earthquakes and seismic activity in the region.• Pre-1902 informal records: Rainfall tracking in Cherrapunji actually dates back to the 1830s under the British administration. Early records kept by local post offices and missionaries famously captured the world-record rainfall of 26,471 mm between Aug 1860 and July 1861.• Expansion to Upper Shillong: Official surface meteorological observations expanded further when the IMD established its observatory in Upper Shillong on Nov 1, 1956, which later grew into Meteorological Centre Shillong.
