Record Rain: All of northern India is currently in the grip of a severe heatwave. In the last week of May, people are wondering when the monsoon will finally arrive. However, some parts of the country experienced light to moderate rain on Thursday evening, leading to a slight drop in temperature. But since then, the heat has started to intensify again.

In fact, the monsoon typically arrives on the coast of Kerala by June 1, but this year, due to the impact of El Niño and other changing conditions, there are signs of a delay in the monsoon’s onset. After the monsoon arrives, rainfall is seen across the country. But did you know there is a place in the world that holds the record for the most rainfall on Earth? At this location, it rained continuously for a whole year, setting a record. Let us tell you about this place…

When it rained continuously for a whole year

You may have noticed that after the monsoon arrives, it rains continuously in many parts of the country, causing conditions to worsen. But imagine if it rained continuously for an entire year at one place. There is a place in the world that holds this record. This place is not elsewhere, but right here in India.

We are talking about Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, where the highest rainfall in a single year was 26,461 millimeters (26.4 meters) between August 1, 1860, and July 1861. This is a record in itself. Additionally, the record for the highest rainfall in a single day, 61 inches, is also held by Cherrapunji.

The wettest place in the world

In Meghalaya, it generally rains throughout the year. This state is recorded in the Guinness World Records as the wettest place on Earth. It is reported that Meghalaya receives an average of 11,000 millimeters of rainfall annually. Due to continuous rain and specific temperatures, tourists visit Meghalaya throughout the year. The greenery and waterfalls cascading from the mountains are captivating in themselves.

These places also receive heavy rainfall

It is not just Meghalaya; there are several places that rival it in terms of heavy rainfall throughout the year. Among them, two cities in Colombia are quite famous for their rainfall characteristics. Lloró and López de Micay in Colombia are cities where it rains almost every day of the year. Between 1952 and 1954, the annual rainfall there was 13,473 millimeters. This was also a record in itself.

Waiting for the monsoon in India

Amidst the severe heat this year, people are eagerly awaiting the monsoon. All of northern India is currently in the grip of a scorching heatwave. As soon as you step outside, it feels like you are placing your feet in a tandoor oven. Typically, the monsoon arrives on the coast of Kerala by June 1. However, this year, the monsoon is delayed. The department says that the monsoon will arrive 3 to 4 days late this year, increasing farmers’ concerns.

Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji, located in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya, is renowned as one of the wettest places on Earth, receiving immense rainfall annually. Historically known as Sohra, it served as the first British administrative center in the Khasi Hills during the 19th century before the capital moved to Shillong. The area is also famous for its unique living root bridges, created by the indigenous Khasi people by training tree roots across rivers.

Meghalaya

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Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji, located in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya, is historically renowned as one of the wettest places on Earth, receiving immense annual rainfall. Its name derives from the Khasi word “Sohra,” and it served as the summer capital of the British Raj’s Assam region in the 19th century. Today, Cherrapunji is famous for its lush landscapes, living root bridges, and stunning waterfalls, though Mawsynram nearby now holds the record for highest rainfall.

Meghalaya

Meghalaya, meaning “abode of clouds” in Sanskrit, is a northeastern Indian state known for its stunning landscapes of lush hills, cascading waterfalls, and some of the wettest places on Earth, such as Cherrapunji and Mawsynram. Historically, it was part of the ancient Kamarupa kingdom and later saw British influence in the 19th century, before becoming a separate state in 1972 after a period of political reorganization. The region is rich in Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo tribal cultures, with living root bridges and unique matrilineal traditions that draw visitors worldwide.

Kerala

Kerala, located on the southwestern coast of India, is renowned for its lush backwaters, serene beaches, and rich cultural heritage. Historically, it was a major spice trading hub, attracting ancient traders from Greece, Rome, and the Middle East, and later became a center for the development of unique art forms like Kathakali and Theyyam. Today, it is celebrated for its high human development index and eco-tourism initiatives.

Colombia

Colombia is a vibrant South American country with a rich history shaped by indigenous cultures, Spanish colonization since the 16th century, and its independence in 1819 led by Simón Bolívar. Known for its diverse landscapes—from Amazon rainforests to Andean peaks and Caribbean coasts—it is also famous for cultural treasures like Cartagena’s colonial architecture and the lost city of Ciudad Perdida. Today, Colombia is recognized for its coffee, music like cumbia and vallenato, and a growing reputation as a destination for tourism and biodiversity.

Lloró

Lloró is a town and municipality in the Chocó Department of Colombia, known for its exceptionally high rainfall, making it one of the wettest inhabited places on Earth. Historically, the area was inhabited by indigenous Emberá communities before Spanish colonization, and it later became part of the gold-mining and timber-extraction regions in the Pacific lowlands. Today, its culture is deeply tied to Afro-Colombian and indigenous traditions, with the surrounding rainforest and rivers playing a central role in local life.

López de Micay

López de Micay is a municipality in the Cauca Department of Colombia, located in the country’s Pacific region. Historically, the area has been inhabited by indigenous communities and later saw the establishment of Afro-Colombian settlements, though it has faced significant challenges related to armed conflict and coca cultivation. Today, it is known for its rich biodiversity, rivers, and efforts toward sustainable development and peacebuilding.

Khasi Hills

The Khasi Hills, located in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya, are a scenic region known for their lush landscapes, living root bridges, and unique matrilineal culture. Historically, the area was ruled by independent Khasi kingdoms until British colonization in the 19th century, which incorporated it into Assam. Today, the hills remain a cultural heartland for the Khasi people, with a strong tradition of clan-based governance and animist beliefs intertwined with Christianity.

Shillong

Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya in northeastern India, is a picturesque hill station known for its rolling hills, waterfalls, and colonial-era architecture. Originally part of the Khasi kingdom, it was developed by the British as their summer capital in the region after 1864, earning it the nickname “Scotland of the East.” Today, it serves as a vibrant cultural hub, blending indigenous Khasi traditions with a modern, cosmopolitan atmosphere.