Inception Report on Urban Agglomeration Studies in Greater Shillong Area, Meghalaya
Category |
Aquifer Mapping |
State |
Meghalaya
|
District |
East Khasi Hills |
Block |
Sohiong |
Year of Issue |
2023 |
Number of Authors |
1 |
Name of Authors |
Ms. D Rabha |
Keywords |
NAQUIM 2.0, Inception Report, Shillong, Meghalaya, Artificial Recharge Plan, Ground Water Quality, Aquifer Management Plan, CGWB, Urbanization, Geophysical surveys, Urban Agglomerate |
File |
Download |
The proposed study area of Greater Shillong under NAQUIM 2.0 covers an area of 180 Sq. km. The area has to be mapped in 1:10,000 scale. Greater Shillong area has been selected under the pre-defined priority type of “Urban Agglomeration” out of 11 Priority areas as per Central Ground Water Board national mandate. Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and it is also the district headquarters of East Khasi Hills District. It is situated at an altitude of 1,496 m (4,908 ft) above sea level and is located in the center of the Shillong plateau. Shillong urban agglomerate comprising of Shillong Municipality and 11 suburbs (Census Towns), viz., Shillong Cantonment, Madanryting, Mawlai, Nongthymmai, Pynthorumkhrah, Nongmynsong, Mawpat, Umlyngka, Umpling, Nongkseh and Lawsohtun. The Greater Shillong area falls under Mylliem block, East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya and covers an area of approximately 180 sq. km. The area lies between north latitudes 25°33’ 15” to 25°36’ 02” and east longitude 91°50’ 50” to 91°56’ 17” and falls in the survey of India toposheet No. 78 O/14. Location Map of Greater Shillong is shown in Fig.1. A few reserve forests can be found around and near Shillong viz., Riatkhwan, Short Round, Shyrwat, Upper Shillong, Riatlaban Laitkor. As per 2011 Census, the total population of the urban area is 354,759 as against 267,662 in 1991 indicating a decadal growth of about 24%. The city features a subtropical highland climate with temperature varying from 2 to 25.0 C. Winter usually starts from October and continues up to March. During the months of December and January ground frost in early morning is very common. Summer is rather of short duration followed by monsoons which generally starts from May and continues till October and so. 90% of the total annual rainfall takes place in this season. Average annual rainfall is about 2022 mm.