What's the Most Rain Ever Recorded in One Year?
In 1861, Cherrapunji, India, set a world record by receiving 905 inches of rain in a single year.
Located in the Khasi Hills, Cherrapunji recorded 22,987 millimeters of rain between 1860 and 1861. This remains the highest annual rainfall ever documented. The record is due to orographic lift, where moisture from the Bay of Bengal hits steep hills and falls as heavy rain. Surprisingly, the town faces water shortages in winter because the steep terrain prevents water from soaking into the ground.
Nerd Mode
Cherrapunji, also known as Sohra, holds the Guinness World Record for the maximum amount of rainfall in a single year. Between August 1860 and July 1861, the town recorded a staggering 22,987 millimeters or 905 inches of rain. This phenomenon is primarily driven by the South West Summer Monsoons coming from the Bay of Bengal.The unique geography of the Meghalaya plateau plays a critical role in these extreme weather patterns. As moisture-laden winds travel north over the plains of Bangladesh, they suddenly strike the Khasi Hills. These hills rise abruptly to an average height of about 1,313 meters or 4,308 feet above sea level.When these clouds hit the steep slopes, they are forced upward in a process called orographic lift. As the air rises, it cools rapidly and loses its ability to hold moisture, resulting in torrential downpours. The funnel-shaped catchment area of the hills further concentrates the clouds over Cherrapunji, intensifying the effect.Despite this record-breaking precipitation, the region ironically suffers from water scarcity during the dry season. The lack of vegetation and the limestone soil structure mean that rainwater cannot be easily stored. Most of the water runs off into the valleys of Bangladesh, leaving the locals to rely on government water tankers during the winter months.
Verified Fact
FP-0004190 · Feb 18, 2026