Meghalaya: World’s Wettest Place | Mawsynram Village | North East India

Summary

Discover Meghalaya, 'Home of the Clouds,' and its village Mawsynram, the world's wettest place with over 11,400 mm of annual rainfall. The Khasi community's unique culture and language set them apart from the rest of India. Experience their innovative bamboo umbrellas, the Kunoop, and learn about the region's heavy rainfall caused by the monsoon winds and Khasi Hills. Despite the language barrier, the warmth and connection of the people are palpable, showcasing unity in diversity.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ Meghalaya, meaning 'home of clouds,' is a beautiful place in the North-East of India.
• ☁️ Mawsynram in Meghalaya holds the record for the world's highest rainfall, with over 11,400 mm annually.
• 🌧️ In 2022, Mawsynram set a new record for the highest rainfall in 24 hours, receiving more than 3 feet of rain in a single day.
• 🌍 Despite its record-breaking rainfall, Mawsynram remains relatively unknown and attracts few tourists.
• 📍 Located at an altitude of 4,600 feet, Mawsynram's population mainly belongs to the Khasi community, with a distinct culture and language.
• 👋 Greetings in the Khasi community, such as 'Hello' and 'Thank you' (Khub lai), are warmly reciprocated, even with language barriers.
• 🌨️ The monsoon season brings relentless rain for two to three months, making visibility and travel challenging.
• 🌳 The Khasi people have adapted to their environment, creating innovative tools like the Kunoop, a hands-free bamboo umbrella.
• 🍽️ Locals prefer cooking with wood fires, as it imparts a distinct flavor to food that gas stoves cannot replicate.
• 🏠 Khasi houses are built from wood sourced from the surrounding forests, and many still use traditional methods for cooking.
• ❄️ Mawsynram experiences hail during the monsoon, which can damage the bamboo umbrellas, but plastic seals protect them.
• 🎓 Education is valued in Mawsynram, with numerous schools and children attending classes even during the rainy season.

Q & A

What does 'Meghalaya' mean and where is it located?

Meghalaya means 'home of clouds' and it is located in the North-East of India.

Why is Mawsynram known as the world's wettest place?

Mawsynram is known as the world's wettest place due to its extremely high annual rainfall, which according to the Guinness Book of World Records, can reach up to 11,400 mm or more than 37 feet in a year.

What record did Mawsynram set in 2022?

In 2022, Mawsynram broke its own record by receiving more than 3 feet of rain in just one day, the highest rainfall record in 24 hours.

What is the significance of the Khasi community in Mawsynram?

The Khasi community is significant as they are the majority of the population in Mawsynram, and their culture and language differ from the rest of India.

How does the local weather affect visibility in Mawsynram?

The thick clouds and mist in Mawsynram often reduce visibility, making it difficult to see from one point to another, and people can appear and disappear in the fog.

What is the Kunoop and how is it used by the locals?

The Kunoop is an innovative bamboo umbrella used by the locals in Mawsynram. It is designed in such a way that it doesn't need to be held with hands, allowing people to work with their hands free, such as farming and gardening.

Does Mawsynram experience snowfall?

Yes, Mawsynram experiences snowfall, which is actually hail, and it can break the bamboo umbrellas, but plastic seals are used to protect them.

What is the reason behind the heavy rainfall in Mawsynram?

The heavy rainfall in Mawsynram is due to its location in the path of monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal. The humid air gets stuck in the Khasi Hills, resulting in significant rainfall, with 70% of the annual rain occurring during the monsoon season.

How does the local lifestyle adapt to the constant rain?

The locals have adapted to the constant rain by creating innovative tools like the Kunoop and by continuing their daily activities such as farming and attending school despite the weather.

What is the significance of the local dress called 'Jainsem'?

Jainsem is the traditional dress worn by men in the Khasi community, and it signifies the cultural identity of the people in Mawsynram.

How do the people of Mawsynram communicate with visitors who do not speak their language?

People in Mawsynram communicate with visitors through a combination of smiles, gestures, and code words in Hindi or English, showing that a connection can be felt even without a common language.