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Mawsynram in the Khasi Hills, India sits in the east of the country north of Bangladesh, is officially the rainiest place on Earth with 11 times more rainfall than famously drizzle Glasgow
The rainiest place on Earth is 22 times wetter than London and is often so intensely drizzly it’s too dangerous to go outside.
Mawsynram is a town unlike any other. Nestled amidst the lush green forests of the Khasi Hills in the far east of India above Bangladesh, it is a beautiful area but an absolutely soaking one. Mawsynram receives about 11,873 mm of rainfall annually, which is close to 11 times more than the 1,109mm which fall on famously sodden Glasgow and 22 times greater than the 585mm of rain in London each year.
Jyotiprasad Oza is a lifelong resident of the town who makes a living leading groups of curious holidaymakers around with TourHQ. People come from far and wide to experience what life is like in the rainiest place on Earth, with visitors regularly making the trip from the US and UK.
“We get about 10,000 tourists a year. During rainy time people like to visit because it’s very heavy rainfall, especially June to September,” Jyotiprasad told the Mirror just as the rain clouds – somewhat predictably – began to open above him.
The rain in Mawsynram is not like the rain in most places. When it starts sometimes it doesn’t stop for days on end. Often residents will dash inside when the heavens open, only to find that there has been no let up for a week straight. And it isn’t just the duration which makes it stand apart.
In one single June day last decade 1,003mm of rain fell on the town – twice as much as London receives in a single year. The impacts on Mawsynram of such intense rainfall can be quite devastating.
“During the time of heavy rainfall it is impossible to go outside. We can’t do our daily walk. We are not supposed to go outside during the rainy time. Sometimes children can’t go to school during the rain. It is quite dangerous,” Jyotiprasad explained.
Landslides and floods are a serious threat to life when the monsoon rains begin to fall, while electricity is regularly cut off and fresh water supplies are overwhelmed. Beyond the dangers to living in such a place, the relentless nature of the wetness has some people pining to move to somewhere a little drier. “We prefer to move to where it gets less rain,” Jyotiprasad said, adding that very few people move to the area.
The reasons for the town’s impressively high rainfall are multifold. It sits 1,400m above sea level, meaning the town is subject to a highlands climate that is made more intense by the warm, moist air which rises from the Bay of Bengal during the monsoon season, and the alignment of Khasi Hills that obstructs the airflow from the bay.
The residents of Mawsynram have developed unique tactics and strategies to ensure that the rains do not completely disrupt their lifestyle. Many houses are built to be soundproof to keep out the deafening pattering noises of the rainfall. Traditional full-body umbrellas called Knups are a popular method of keeping the rain off, on days when a heavy mac and welly boots simply won’t do. These are large shell-shaped devices which are made from bamboo and banana leaves.
The rain is not the only reason people visit Mawsynram. The beautiful landscapes, viewpoints and gushing waterfalls in and around the area are a big hit with nature lovers. A particular draw are the Nohkalikai Waterfalls, which are the fourth highest in the world.
When it comes to parts of the world with extreme weather, at the complete other end of the scale is Kuwait City – the settlement with the hottest temperatures on Earth. The Mirror recently spoke to a resident there who told of how locals have adapted to the punishing highs.
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