Cherrapunji situated in North East India in the Meghalaya State
(separated from the state of Assam in 1972, Meghalaya means “Home of the
clouds”) in the Khasi Hills, is unbelievably the wettest place on the
planet earth which receives the maximum rainfall in the world, holding a record
that it once rained continuously every single day for two years. It made a world
record of 1,041 inches of rain in 1861. North eastern part of India is full of
natural treasures with lush green canopies, valleys, mountains, rocky hills,
rivers, diverse flora and fauna. The flora and fauna have colorful and rare
orchids, ferns, moss plants and dense wood forests in small patches. Orchards of
oranges and pineapple are the common sight of Cherrapunji. It is a 60 kilometre
drive from the state’s capital Shillong, and is situated 1290 metres above sea
level.
But the ironical fact about this place is that, the people thirst for water
without enough water to bathe, drink or cook during months when there is no rain
(reason is discussed below). On an average this place receives 366
inches of rain every year. The reason for this typical rainfall is the monsoons
(seasonal winds). The town Mawsynram which is 16 kilometres from
Cherrapunji also receives lot of rainfall making it a competition between these
two places. It is believed that it rains mostly in the night, thereby creating
no disruption to normal day life. It does not rain or rains very little during
winter, making it dry because the springs also dry up. Cherrapunji has started
to dry up recently with less rain and Mawsynram is becoming the wettest place.
Trucks can be seen carrying water to Cherrapunji during the winter season
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