What Is the Rainiest City on Earth
The title of the rainiest city on Earth is often given to Cherrapunji, now called Sohra, in Meghalaya, India. Another strong contender is Mawsynram, also in Meghalaya, which frequently tops global rainfall records. These locations sit in a region where monsoon winds and steep terrain force heavy, repeated rainfall each year.
Annual Rainfall Totals and Climate Patterns
Sohra and Mawsynram regularly record more than 11,000 millimeters of rain annually, with some years exceeding 25,000 millimeters. The intense rainfall is driven by the Indian summer monsoon and moisture-laden air from the Bay of Bengal. Orographic lift, where air rises over hills and cools, concentrates the rain in these small areas.
Why These Cities Receive So Much Rain
The geography of northeast India funnels humid air into narrow valleys and steep slopes. Warm, wet air is forced upward by the Khasi Hills, creating persistent clouds and frequent downpours. This combination of monsoon season, topography, and proximity to warm ocean water keeps rainfall extremely high throughout the year.
For more details on global rainfall records and climate data, visit WorldAtlas: The Rainiest Places on Earth.
