Cherrapunji Dethroned: India’s Wettest Places are Now Tamhini & Surlabbi

History of Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji first entered the meteorological record books in 1861, when it recorded 26,467 mm (1,042 inches) of rainfall — a world record.
On June 16, 1995, Cherrapunji witnessed 1,563 mm (61 inches) of rainfall in just 24 hours, which remains an unbroken Guinness World Record. Later, nearby Mawsynram was also recognized as one of the wettest places on Earth.

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Monsoon 2025: A Record-Breaking Shift

This year, Cherrapunji faced an alarming rainfall deficit. By August, rainfall was nearly 50% below normal. Out of Meghalaya’s 11 districts, six recorded a deficit of 20–59%, and West Jaintia Hills saw a staggering 75% shortfall.
In contrast, Tamhini in the Western Ghats received over 7,800 mm of rainfall by the end of August, including 5,788 mm in just June–July. Karnataka’s Surlabbi recorded nearly 6,000 mm in the same period. In fact, according to IMD, at least 32 places in India received more rainfall than Cherrapunji this year.

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Why This Shift Happened

Scientists believe that Cherrapunji’s unique hilltop geography and the orographic lift of monsoon moisture led to its record-breaking rains. But in 2025, this mechanism weakened for reasons still unclear.
Locals point out that the drying of the famous ‘Seven Sisters Falls’ in December 2024 was already a bad omen, and this year’s dry monsoon has confirmed those fears.

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Concerns for the Future

Cherrapunji, once considered a treasure trove of clouds that could rival deserts like the Sahara and Gobi, is now struggling with a shortage of rain.
After 164 years of glory, the crown of India’s wettest place has passed to Tamhini and Surlabbi, while Cherrapunji and Mawsynram face the burden of drought.

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Conclusion

The dethroning of Cherrapunji is not just a weather update — it’s a sign of deeper environmental and climatic changes. On India’s travel and nature map, Tamhini and Surlabbi are now emerging as new destinations of natural wonder.

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