Cherrapunji
The wettest place in the world finds its home in Meghalaya. Cherrapunji is also famous for its living root bridges, formed due to incessant rain. You can set up camp underneath these bridges!
Famous for: Maximum rainfall in the world.
Activities: You can enjoy the tropical flora and fauna, while camping under or climbing the root bridges.
Cherrapunji in Meghalaya is one of the wettest places on the planet and the only place in India to receive rain throughout the year. The town of Cherrapunji is nestled in the East Khasi Hills about 50 km southwest of the state’s capital, Shillong. Cherrapunji, also known as Sohra or Churra, means ‘the land of oranges’. The cliffs of Cherrapunji also offer stunning views of the plains of Bangladesh.
ALSO SEE Shillong to Cherrapunji: How to reach Cherrapunji from Shillong
While the debate about the wettest place on earth is an ongoing one, Mawsynram, also in Meghalaya, is known to receive higher rainfall than Cherrapunji. Cherrapunji itself receives a staggering 11,777 mm of rainfall annually. Monsoon clouds which blow inland from the Bay of Bengal are stopped from moving further by the ridges of Cherrapunji. The town receives both south-west and north-east monsoon. Despite receiving excess rain, the town faces acute water shortage and the locals have to travel great distances to get fresh water. The relentless rain causes soil erosion which has denuded the land of Cherrapunji and the surrounding valleys.
