The Village of Mawsynram: The Wettest Place on Earth

Among the myriad locations around the globe that experience heavy rainfall, there is one village that stands out as the Wettest Place on Earth. Mawsynram, a small village in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, India, receives an average of 11,872 millimeters (467 inches) of rain annually. This consistently makes it the place with the highest rainfall, not just in India, but in the world.

The Guinness Record

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Mawsynram received an astonishing 26,000 millimeters (1,000 inches) of rainfall in 1985, a feat that highlights the village's unique climatic conditions. As of 19 August 2015, Mawsynram experienced 745.2 millimeters of rainfall, marking one of the highest amounts received by the town in recent times. On 17 June 2022, Mawsynram set a new record by receiving 1,003.6 millimeters of rain within a 24-hour period, breaking its previous record of 944.7 millimeters on 7 June 1966.

Location and Climate

Mawsynram is located in the state of Meghalaya, India, at an elevation of approximately 1,444 meters (4,737 feet) above sea level. The village sits on the windward side of the Khasi Hills, which means it is frequently hit by the monsoon winds that originate from the Bay of Bengal. These winds bring heavy rainfall, while the leeward side of the hills receives much less precipitation.

The area around Mawsynram is a tropical rainforest with a subtropical climate, characterized by long, sustained periods of rain, especially during the monsoon months. The village experiences a brief, but temporary, dry season in the winter, accounting for only a small fraction of the year.

Mawsynram vs Cherapunji

While Cherapunji once held the title of the wettest place on Earth, it is now Mawsynram that stands out. The two villages are located just 10 miles apart, but Mawsynram enjoys a mere 4 inches (100 millimeters) more rainfall annually. Both regions experience heavy rainfall due to the summer air currents that sweep over the steaming flood plains of Bangladesh, bringing moisture-laden winds that cause intense rain.

In 1966, Record-keeping for rainfall in the region showed that Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean experienced over 1800 millimeters of rain in a single year, which is more than 72 inches. This serves as a testament to the intense rainfall that certain regions can experience.

Conclusion

Mawsynram's position as the Wettest Place on Earth is not just a matter of numbers; it reflects the unique climatic conditions that this small village faces. Its consistently high rainfall is due to its elevation, its location in the windward side of the Khasi Hills, and the impact of the monsoon winds. Understanding the climate and geography of Mawsynram enhances our knowledge of the global distribution of rainfall and the impact of climate conditions on human habitation.

With climate change likely to cause shifts in weather patterns, the Mawsynram rainfall records serve as an important benchmark for scientists and meteorologists. They offer insights into how weather systems may change in the future and allow us to predict and prepare for potential extreme weather events.