You might think the UK gets a lot of rain, but our heavy showers are a mere drizzle compared to what residents endure in Mawsynram, the world’s wettest village.
Nestled amidst the lush green forests of the Khasi Hills in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, India, Mawsynram holds the title of the rainiest place in the world.
While a rainy day is enough to put anyone off going outside, here, residents endure an annual rainfall of around 11,872mm – over 20 times more than the annual rainfall in London.
Despite these incredibly challenging living conditions, the city is home to around 4,000 residents who have adapted to the remarkably soggy environment.
During the relentless downpours of the monsoon season, residents often find themselves confined to their homes for weeks at a time.
However, they have come up with unique ways to cope, from soundproofing their houses to making unique shell-like umbrellas.
Mawsnyram has also become an unlikely tourist destination. Adventurous travellers flock to admire its stunning (albeit wet) scenery.
The rain in Mawsynram is unlike that of most places. When it starts, it doesn’t stop for weeks on end. The village receives around 11,872mm of rainfall each year, approximately 20 times the average annual rainfall in London, which is about 585mm.
While the village is wet year-round, it experiences its peak rainfall during the monsoon season, from June to September. The period brings torrential rain that keeps many residents confined to their homes.
In June 2022, Mawsynram recorded a staggering 1,004mm of rain in just one day, approximately twice as much as London receives in a whole year.
It rarely gets hot in the village, with average monthly temperatures ranging from 10C in January to just over 20C in August.
The village also experiences a brief ‘dry’ period, from December to February, when the average monthly precipitation reaches an average of 60mm.
Its neighbouring Cherrapunji – dubbed the second wettest place on earth – does not escape the soggy weather either, receiving around 11,777 of rainfall per year.
Mawsynram’s extreme conditions are due to several factors, primarily its geographical location and topography.
The village sits on the edge of the high Shillong Plateau, which rises approximately 1,400 metres above sea level. This elevation creates a unique highland climate and acts as a barrier to the monsoon winds blowing in from the Bay of Bengal.
As the wind encounters the Khasi Hills, it is forced to rise, leading to cool and condensed air and significant rainfall.
This phenomenon, known as the Orographic Effect, plays a significant role in the region’s high rainfall.
The rainfall is often so relentless that residents may confined indoors for up to an entire week at a time. Schools will close, and the village risks flooding, landslides and losing electricity.
Each year, before the rainy season arrives, the villagers make careful preparations to ensure they’re ready for the extreme weather.
They will often use natural materials like thick bamboo, grass or thatch to soundproof their homes, which helps dull the sound of the rain. Many houses are also built on stilts or raised foundations to protect against flooding.
Many residents stockpile food and firewood to ensure they have enough resources to last them through the monsoon season when rainfall can disrupt supply access.
Special rain covers called knups also play a part in daily life. These traditional, full-body umbrella-like shields are made from bamboo, plastic sheets and banana leaves and are used to protect from heavy downpours.
The process of making a knup is long and takes at least an hour to complete. Women in the village will spend their time crafting them while the rainy season keeps them cooped up throughout the rainy season.
Despite its heavy rainfall and reputation as the world’s wettest village, Mawsynram has become quite the tourist attraction.
The nearest airport to Mawsnyram is Shillong Airport, also known as Umroi Airport, which is 86 kilometres from the village.
From there, tourists can take a cab or a bus to the village, with the drive taking around three hours. On the way, tourists will pass through lush green hills and the valleys of Meghalaya.
Although accommodation is limited in the village, there are several guesthouses and homestays available. Tourists could also stay in the nearby village of Cherrapunji, around 5km away.
According to the Meghalaya Tourism website, there are plenty of unique sites in the region. Krem Puri, the largest sandstone cave in the world, is just a 15-minute drive away.
Tourists aren’t too far from the giant living root bridges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where bridges are made of intertwined roots in the East Khasi Hills.
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The area is also home to several picturesque waterfalls, including the Kynrem Falls and Nohkalikai Falls, the latter of which is known as one of the wettest places on earth.
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