Life inside the world's wettest village

The village, located in Meghalaya State in northeastern India, is home to roughly 4,000 people and is known as the "wettest place on Earth," according to U.K.-based newspaper Express.

The Guinness Book of World Records says the area receives 11,873 mm of rainfall every year.

Bridges made from tree roots in Mawsynram village, Meghalaya State, India. Photo from Instagram/@docblkumawat

Meteorologists say the village’s location on the Shillong Plateau, 1,400 meters above sea level, acts as a natural barrier that traps monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal. The southwest monsoon between June and September brings massive rainfall to the region.

Mawsynram means "a land of cold stones" in the Khasi language, according to Wodne Sprawy, a Polish online magazine dedicated to water issues around the world. On a single day in June 2022, the village received 1003.6 millimeters of rain, exceeding the annual rainfall of many European countries.

"During the time of heavy rainfall, it is impossible to go outside. We can't do our daily walk. We are not supposed to go outside during the rainy time. Sometimes children can't go to school during the rain. It is quite dangerous," local resident Jyotiprasad Oza told the Mirror newspaper.

Each year, locals prepare for the monsoon season by repairing grass-covered roofs designed to reduce the noise of heavy rain. The coverings are often damaged or blown away during storms and require regular maintenance.

Villagers also collect wood for fuel and lighting during frequent power outages, while stockpiling food ahead of the rainiest months between May and July, when shopping becomes difficult.

Knups, traditional rain covers made from bamboo, plastic sheets and broom grass, are a common sight in the village. Shaped like turtle shells, they shield the body from the head to the knees during heavy rain. Making a knup takes several hours and becomes a regular activity for women during the monsoon season.

Local cuisine has also evolved around the weather. Tungtap, a chutney made from chilies, tomatoes and fermented fish, is commonly eaten during the harshest months.

To cope with flooding and strong currents, residents build living bridges from tree roots. Over time, the roots grow into sturdy structures capable of withstanding extreme weather.

Despite the harsh conditions, Mawsynram receives around 10,000 tourists each year, mainly from the U.S. and the U.K. Most visitors arrive between June and September to experience the heavy rain and visit Nohkalikai Falls, the world’s fourth-highest waterfall.