Cherapunji, an Indian highland town on the Shillong Plateau (Meghalaya State), is considered to be the rainiest place on Earth. The average annual rainfall here is indeed recorded at around 11,777 mm, with more record years being noted. But ten miles (16 km) west of Cherapundzhi is the settlement of Mosinam, where it rains 10 cm more per year. However, it so happened that it was the Cherapundji region that was recognized by the media as the most rainy site in the world.
Weather
The tropical monsoon climate of northern India is especially intense here in the summer. Dropped by monsoons from the Bay of Bengal, moisture accumulates over the plateau and, condensing, pours out in plentiful lingering showers. In the summer season (May – October), where the rainy month is July, up to 90% of the rains per year can fall. But from December to February, when the precipitation level reaches about 11 mm, the residents of Cherapundji experience an acute shortage of water, which becomes the ironic paradox of the rainiest place on Earth.
The territory can not be called hot. Usually the January temperature in Cherapundji does not fall below +11.5 ° C, and in August does not exceed +20.6 ° C.
Natural conditions
The tropical environment of the Khashi East Mountains, where the Shillong Plateau is located, is incredibly diverse, and the state is known for orchids, of which about 325 species are found in the local forests and groves. But the nature of Cherapundji is rather limited. The town is sheltered on a plateau among low hills and ends at a cliff, subject to constant winds. Therefore, the earth weathered and washed by showers is depleted, and the moisture flowing from the cliff is not held by the soil. This significantly reduces species diversity and makes agriculture unacceptable.
Where the rainy place on Earth, the lush tropics do not run amok. This is another Cherapunji paradox. The vegetation here is represented mainly by hard grass, a rare shrub and few species of trees growing near houses.
Interesting facts about residents
The town is inhabited by about 11,000 people with a significant, as in the entire state, khashi predominance. This low-growth nation differs from the Hindus primarily in that it does not profess any of the areas of Hinduism. When the British got to these places, Christianity gradually replaced the traditional local paganism. Almost all the inhabitants of Cherapundzhi, the rainiest place on Earth, are Christians (mostly Catholics), moreover, they are quite zealous.
A relic of a social phenomenon such as matriarchy is another characteristic of Khashi. The marriage partner is chosen solely by the woman. And until recently, she had the right to have several husbands. The successor to the family inheritance is the youngest daughter, who, with her husband, remains in her father's house with her parents. Khashis have many women who chew betel nuts, and many of them wear short haircuts, which you will not see in all of India, except for foreigners.
Although some locals set up small beds near their homes, nevertheless, in Cherapundji, the rainiest place on Earth, agriculture is not applicable. Products are brought here from the nearest villages located down the slope. The city market is open daily except Sundays and religious holidays. And every eighth day, the whole district comes here to the big bazaar with families and entire villages. And then all kinds of gifts of tropical nature are exhibited on the market, which the inhabitants of Cherapundji are deprived of. It also sells wicker hard rain capes that touches tourists so much. These products are not only much cheaper, but also more practical than ordinary umbrellas: as much as possible covering the whole body, they leave their hands free, which is important for the inhabitants of the rainiest place on Earth.
The work of the local residents is ensured by the cement plant in Cherapundji, limestone and coal mining near the town, and the constant repair of washed-out roads.
Fascinating travels
The tourist infrastructure is gradually developing in the city and hotels are opening. What attracts tourists in the rainiest place on Earth, the town of Cherapundzhi? Only through this settlement can you get to most of the surrounding villages, located a few hundred meters below. And there the expected miracles already begin: the luxury of the alpine jungle, marvelous waterfalls, numerous small rivers, intriguing caves washed in showers by limestone. In small villages, planted with all kinds of tropical fruit trees and fruitful palm trees, you can stay for the night and have a tasty snack. Residents are very welcoming, and nature is unusually beautiful.
Growing bridges
An amazing local attraction is the suspension bridges grown from the roots of a rubber tree. These amazing structures are adapted for operation in the most rainy place on Earth, where any building materials quickly rot. For the formation of these river miracle transitions, the largest and oldest trees are needed, with numerous roots hanging from the trunks.
The hollowed trunk of the palm is most often used as the guiding base, and the thickest branched root reaching the opposite slope with a length is the retaining one. Bamboo poles are woven into the handrails and the base and tied with thinner roots. In a few years, the bamboo will rot, and the roots will develop, harden and grow into the soil of the opposite shore. The bridge is ready. Continuing to grow, it becomes stronger and more powerful over the years. Such bridges come in two tiers.
To see such a miracle, you can go down from Cherapundzhi, for example, to the village of Nongriat along a three-kilometer steep path consisting entirely of steps. You will have to get back in the same way, overcoming the climb of three thousand uneven steps. But this does not frighten avid travelers and is worth it to plunge into a fairy tale.