The current record holder for the wettest place on earth as recognized by Guinness Book of World Records, is a small village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state known as Mawsynram in India. Mawsynram is reported to have an average annual rainfall of 11,872 millimeters (467.4 in). Unsurprisingly the area is covered with lush greenery, rich in waterfalls and fascinating caves craved by the falling water. Apart from farming which is almost impossible in a region of such huge rainfall one of the other significant problem is maintaining the bridges. One of the unique solution of which is creating the living root bridges.
Whats striking is that Mawsynram receives 90 % of the record-breaking annual rainfall in just six months, from May to October. July is considered as the wettest month of all with the world’s highest monthly average rainfall of over 3500mm (120”). Ten miles to the East lies the town of Cherrapunji locally known by its traditional name Sohra and is the second wettest place on earth. Its average record falls short of Mawsynram’s by just 100mm. Though it is still the location of the wettest month and year ever recorded. In July 1861, the rainfall measured 9,300 mm (366”) and in a single year between 1 August 1860 and 31 July 1861, Cherrapunji measured a record-breaking annual total of 26,470 mm (1042”).
The Itinerant Analyst 