Introduction to Mawsynram: The Wettest Place on Earth

Mawsynram: The Wettest Place on Earth

A small town with 100-odd houses of different shapes and sizes, Mawsynram is located a day’s trip from Shillong and is the wettest place on earth. The villagers here use grass to make their huts soundproof from the deafening, continuous rains. However, they do not even know that their small town holds the world record of being the wettest place on earth.

With an average rainfall of 467 inches a year, it has become the region that received the highest rainfall in the world in the past few years. 2022 was a record year for the town when it received a staggering 1003 mm of rainfall in one day. The reason behind this is the position of the town. It is located between the Bay of Bengal and the Khasi hills. The warm moist air brought by the Bay of Bengal is concentrated over this small region because of its alignment with the Khasi Hills.

With such an adverse climate, it is a feat that people live here. Read on to know how Mawsynram became the place with the highest rainfall, the factors that cause this, tourism, and the sustainable practices of the people who live here.

Highest Rainfall in the World: Mawsynram’s Claim to Fame

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.

Mawsynram Rainfall: Charting the Extremes

For a long time, the nearby town of Cherrapunji was thought to be the receiver of the highest rainfall in the world. However, after comparing the statistics of both places, from 1970 to 2010, it was found that, on average, Mawsynram receives slightly more rainfall.

Though the town remains drenched with precipitation throughout the year, it receives most of its rainfall in the monsoon season. This lasts usually from June to August across the country. However, in the case of Mawsynram rainfall, the high level of precipitation starts in April and lasts till October. This causes the town to receive very little sunlight throughout the year. The precipitation during this period ranges from 13 inches to 129 inches.

The reason behind such high numbers of precipitation is because of the warm winds from the Bay of Bengal that move towards the north during the monsoon. It should cover a larger area but because of the narrow zone created by the Khasi hills, the wind is concentrated in the region.

Rainiest Place in the World: A Closer Look

The following factors make Mawsynram the wettest place in the world.

• Geological Factors: The unique geography of the town is one of the biggest reasons behind its unusually high rainfall. As it is situated within the Khasi hills of northeastern India, the winds that travel north from the Bay of Bengal collide with the hills. Thus, the winds are forced to ascend the hill. Because of the high altitude of the place, the temperature is usually low. Thus, the winds cool down as they ascend the hills.
  
  Because of the cooling of the winds, the process of precipitation occurs. This in turn causes rainfall in the region.

• Meteorological Factors: As mentioned above, monsoons are the primary cause of the rainfall in the region. The monsoon in India occurs from June to September and brings torrential rains. However, what sets Mawsynram apart is the precipitation that remains here across the year. Because of the winds heavy with moisture that is carried from the Bay of Bengal, the place is precipitated even during the dry seasons.

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.

Which Place Receives the Highest Rainfall in the World?

When comparing the data received from the recent few decades, it is found that Mawsynram is the wettest place in the world. Mawsynram rainfall has been researched by NASA as well. They found that the cluster of villages located in this region receives slightly more rainfall than that of Cherrapunji.

The claim of the rainiest place in the world is maintained by Mawsynram because of its proximity to the Bay of Bengal as well as its position in the Khasi hills. The high altitude of the place also causes the winds to precipitate, resulting in a year-long condensation.

Columbia’s Tutunendo and Lloro are two cities that dispute Mawsynram’s place as the record holder of the highest receiver of rainfall. They claim that they received more rainfall in the decades of 1980-2000. These regions receive tropical rainfall, as opposed to the monsoon that causes rain in Mawsynram.

Another contender is Colombia’s Lopez de Micay which recorded an average of 506 inches of rainfall between the years 1960 and 2012. However, as per the recent data from top organizations including NASA, the title is still with Mawsynram.

Geographical Location of Mawsynram

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.

Climate and Weather Patterns in Mawsynram

The climate of Mawsynram the rainiest place in the world is classified as a subtropical highland climate, as per the Koppen climate classification. Under this climate, the region experiences an extraordinarily long and heavy rainfall season followed by a short, dry season. Thus, from June to September, the region is covered in heavy rainfall because of the warm winds from the Bay of Bengal that are cooled by the Khasi hills.

The region remains covered with low-hanging, heavy clouds that are dense with moisture. Thus, it causes the town to be highly humid throughout the year, making it the world’s highest rainfall.

The people who live in the region work throughout the dry season. They do not go out much during the high rainy season. They have also built their homes in a way that can withstand the constant onslaught of thunderous and heavy rains. With extensive drainage systems, sloping roofs, and grass covering their walls, they can live and thrive in such extreme conditions. They also store the grains and other food items during the dry season so that they can be used during the rainy season.

Scientific Reasons for High Rainfall in Mawsynram

The reasons behind the extreme rainfall experienced by Mawsynram are as follows:

• Orographic lifting: Orographic lifting, or orographic precipitation, happens when moisture-laden air is forced to ascend. In Mawsynram, the moist and warm air of the Bay of Bengal ascends the Khasi hills. Because of the elevation, it cools down, thereby forming clouds. These moisture-laden clouds result in heavy rainfall.
• Moisture sources: The Bay of Bengal, the source of moisture that causes rainfall in the majority part of India, is very close to the rainiest place in the world. The winds from the Bay of Bengal carry ample amounts of moisture for rainfall in a much larger region. However, because of the Khasi hills, it is concentrated in a much smaller one.

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.

Tourism in Mawsynram: Attracted by Rain

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.

Environmental Impact of Heavy Rainfall

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:

• Erosion: Because of the constant heavy rainfall, the topmost layer of the soil gets washed away. This worsens the situation for agriculture and vegetation. Especially on the slopes of the hills, soil erosion can affect crop productivity and yield. Because of the erosion, the place faces a shortage of water as there is no topsoil to absorb the rainwater.
• Landslides: Heavy rainfalls on hills and mountains cause landslides. Because of the shifting terrain, the infrastructure of the town suffers. These landslides block the paved roads of the town, cutting it off from the rest of the world sometimes.

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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Sustainable Practices in Mawsynram

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:

• Sustainable Agriculture: The local people follow a sustainable practice of agriculture under which they use various techniques such as terrace farming and organic farming. This ensures that there is the least erosion of soil and it remains healthy.
• Knup: The locals here make their rain shields known as knups. These are formed out of bamboo. It keeps the body dry and covers the head to the knee of a person. They use these knups to go about their day and work in fields.
• Grass: Because of the deafening, constant rains that the region receives, it becomes hard for people living inside a house to hear one another. To lessen the sound, they cover the walls of their houses with grass. This creates a layer of insulation.

With increasing tourism, a balance must be maintained with nature. With sustainable management, the ecology of Mawsynram can be preserved.

Wettest Country on Earth

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.

Conclusion: Mawsynram’s Rainfall Legacy

Mawsynram, the wettest place on earth, being inhabited is no small wonder. Under such a dire climate, people live and thrive in the region. The rainfall, caused by the closeness of the Bay of Bengal as well as the placement of the Khasi hills, is a force to behold. It cannot be wrong to call it a wonder of nature. For explorers, scientists, and nature enthusiasts, the place offers a unique allure. It reminds us of the beauty and diversity of our planet and country. The people living here have learned how to attend to their fields, make baskets, and attend school, even in the constant rains. They do not celebrate the end of the rainy season. There are no festivals for the turn of seasons. They just begin working outside the home to prepare for the next rainy season.

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