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The Wettest Place on Earth: Mawsynram, a small town with around 100 uniquely shaped houses, is located a day’s journey from Shillong and is known as the wettest place on earth. The villagers use grass to insulate their huts from the continuous, deafening rains, yet many are unaware of their town’s record. Mawsynram averages 467 inches of rain per year, and in 2022, it saw an extraordinary 1003 mm in just one day. Its position between the Bay of Bengal and the Khasi Hills traps warm, moist air over the area. Despite the harsh climate, residents use sustainable practices. Learn more about Mawsynram’s record rainfall, its causes, and local adaptations.
The record for the highest rainfall in the world was with Cherrapunji, another town in the state of Meghalaya. The state is especially known for its prolonged and heavy monsoon season. It is aptly named as such as well. Meghalaya in Sanskrit means abode of clouds. Because of its proximity to the Bay of Bengal and the presence of hills across the state, the state has abundant rainfall.
To bring this into comparison, usually, countries receive around 11 to 46 inches. The monsoon, which causes rain in the whole country of India, is responsible for such extreme rainfall in Mawsynram. However, the record of Mawsynran has been disputed by Columbia’s Lloro and New Zealand’s Cropp River.
Mawsynram’s relentless and thundering rainfall has attracted various scientists, photographers, and nature enthusiasts from across the world. Covered in mist throughout most of the year, with little to no sun, the town is home to vibrant flora. It also has various natural attractions such as the stalagmites that are a point of attraction.
The Wettest Place on Earth: For years, Cherrapunji was believed to be the rainiest place globally. However, from 1970 to 2010, data revealed that Mawsynram receives slightly more rainfall on average. While Mawsynram is consistently wet year-round, it experiences its peak rainfall during the monsoon season, from April to October, unlike the typical June to August monsoon in other regions. This extended period of rain results in minimal sunlight, with precipitation ranging from 13 to 129 inches. The intense rainfall is due to warm winds from the Bay of Bengal being concentrated by the Khasi Hills, creating a narrow, high-precipitation zone.
The following factors make Mawsynram the wettest place in the world.
Thus, during the peak monsoon, the place receives the highest share of its year-round rainfall. In the dry, colder months, it receives approximately 2 inches of rain. These reasons make it the place where the world’s highest rainfall occurs.
Recent data confirms that Mawsynram is the wettest place on earth, surpassing Cherrapunji in rainfall. NASA’s research supports this, showing that Mawsynram’s cluster of villages receives slightly more rain. Its proximity to the Bay of Bengal, location in the Khasi Hills, and high altitude contribute to its year-round precipitation. Despite claims from Colombia’s Tutunendo and Lloro, which reported higher rainfall in the 1980s and 1990s, and Lopez de Micay, which averaged 506 inches between 1960 and 2012, recent data from top organizations, including NASA, still validates Mawsynram’s status as the rainiest place.
Situated in the northeastern region of India, Mawsynram is a cluster of villages in the state of Meghalaya. It is located on the Khasi hills, which are part of the Garo-Khasi ranges of northeastern India. Because of the hilly location of the town, its altitude is 1400 meters above sea level. The most rainy place in the world is popular for its various caves, waterfalls, and unique rock formations.
The region, located 69 kilometers from the capital of the state, Shillong, is rich in flora because of the constant rains. The hilly area is covered with bamboo and broom grass. It also has several rivers and streams that fall through the valleys to create multiple beautiful waterfalls.
Mawsynram, the wettest place on earth, has a subtropical highland climate according to the Köppen classification. This climate features an extended, intense rainy season from June to September due to warm winds from the Bay of Bengal being cooled by the Khasi Hills, followed by a brief dry period. The town remains enveloped in heavy, moisture-laden clouds year-round, resulting in high humidity. Residents adapt by working during the dry season and staying indoors during heavy rains. Their homes are designed to endure the severe weather with sloping roofs, extensive drainage systems, and grass-covered walls. They also store food during the dry season for use during the rains.
The reasons behind the extreme rainfall experienced by Mawsynram are as follows:
Due to its location and the presence of the Western Ghats, Mawsynram receives a high amount of rainfall. The Western Ghats act as a barrier for the moist clouds, which enhances their condensation, resulting in the wettest place on earth.
Mawsynram, being in the Guinness Book of World Records for receiving the most rainfall, has become a tourist attraction as the wettest place on earth. The landscape of the town is shrouded with mist throughout most of the year, making it a scenic place for tourists and nature photographers.
Along with the natural beauty because of the unique flora found in the region, the place offers various other attractions. These include the Mawjymbuin cave. The cave is formed because of the constant weathering of the rainwater on calcareous sandstone, forming udder-shaped and dome-shaped rocks. Among the various waterfalls of the region, the Nohkalikai Falls are especially famous.
The nearby village, Mawlynnong, has also gained popularity among tourists for being the cleanest village in Asia. Tourists visit to enjoy the scenic beauty as well as the local cuisines and customs.
Mawsynram’s constant rainfall has become a point of attraction and fame for the small cluster of villages. However, it brings along some consequences that can be dire for human life. These include the following:
The ecosystem of the wettest place on earth has adapted to the high rainfall. It grows flora that requires a large amount of water to survive, such as bamboo. Lush forests, grass, and moss cover most of the landscape. Also, nature has formed a living bridge for the people. This bridge is present across the raging river and is formed from the roots of a rubber tree.
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The cluster of hamlets in the wettest place on earth (Mawsynram) are mostly dependent on nature for their livelihood and way of living. They live in balance with nature, even under such adverse climates. Here are some of their sustainable practices:
With increasing tourism, a balance must be maintained with nature. With sustainable management, the ecology of Mawsynram can be preserved.
Colombia is the wettest country on Earth. It receives 3,240 millimeters of precipitation on average per year. Colombia’s lush landscapes are nourished by copious amounts of rainfall, which makes it a sanctuary for a variety of ecosystems and colorful flora and fauna. Colombia’s humid climate adds to the country’s natural beauty and biodiversity, with misty rainforests and tumbling waterfalls among its highlights.
The Wettest Place on Earth: Mawsynram’s ability to support life is remarkable given its extreme climate. The intense rainfall, driven by its proximity to the Bay of Bengal and the Khasi Hills, is a natural wonder. This unique environment attracts explorers, scientists, and nature enthusiasts, showcasing the beauty and diversity of our planet. Despite the relentless rain, residents thrive, tending to their fields, crafting baskets, and attending school. They do not mark the end of the rainy season with festivals but instead shift to outdoor work to prepare for the next cycle of heavy rain.
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Mawsynram receives the highest rainfall due to its location in the Khasi Hills, where moist air from the Bay of Bengal is forced to ascend, cool, and condense, resulting in heavy precipitation.
Cherrapunji receives the second-highest rainfall, thanks to its similar geographical and meteorological conditions.
Life in Mawsynram revolves around adapting to constant rainfall. Locals have resiliently built homes, practiced terrace farming, and embraced a culture influenced by their unique climate.
People in Mawsynram primarily consume locally grown crops such as rice, vegetables, and fruits. Betel leaves and nuts are also popular, and the cuisine often includes traditional Khasi dishes like jadoh and tungrymbai.
Mawsynram in India, Cherrapunji in India, and Tutunendo in Colombia are the three wettest places on earth.
Based on a global rainfall index, Brunei Darussalam ranks first in the world. Brunei Darussalam’s rainfall index was 3,564 mm as of 2020. Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands round out the top 5.
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