Everyone has a story to tell when it comes to rain especially the inhabitants of Mawsynram, a village perched atop a ridge in India's north-eastern Khasi Hills, which has the highest average rainfall on the planet. We take a look at such places that record the highest rainfall in the world.
Average annual rainfall: 11,871mm Arguments over which region is the wettest on earth are driven by the fact that Mawsynram records an average of 94 mm more than nearby Cherrapunji, which is an increase of about 0.7 percent. The reason for its torrential downpours is its proximity to the Bay of Bengal and its situation 1,400 m high in the Garo Hills, to the south of the Himalayas. The south-westerly monsoons pile in with moist winds which are caught against the mountains creating huge amounts of rainfall on the village. Villagers weave "knups" out of bamboo which form a shell-like structure to shelter from the downpours.
Average annual rainfall: 11,777mm Despite of being the second wettest place on Earth, residents of this village face water shortages in winter when no rain falls at all for months at a time. The elevation and location help monsoons rampage through the area, allowing the humidity and clouds to sometimes form specifically over this land while nearby locales remain dry.
Average annual rainfall: 11,770mm Close to the equator and the Pacific Ocean, this area is constantly hot and humid with consistent low pressure weather patterns. This results in a rainforest climate that contributes to dense forests and vegetation. Nearby is the wettest big city on earth and the capital of the region, Quibdó, as well as Panama, also known for its hot, humid climate.
Average annual rainfall: 11,516mm Cropp River is the source of the majority of rainfall records recorded in the country of New Zealand and is the rainiest location in the Australasia and Oceania region of the planet, which usually experiences moderate to dry precipitation conditions throughout much of the year. On December 27th, 1989, the area received a whopping 758 mm of rain in only 24 hours.
Average annual rainfall: 10,450mm San Antonio de Ureca is the wettest place in the African Continent. The dry season is only from November to March, with the rest of the months attracting heavy rain.
