Don't forget your brolly! Ten of the wettest destinations on Earth
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Reunion. PA
Thought it rained a lot in Britain? We've rounded up the rainiest places in the world, like Cherrapunjee in India, Milford Sound in New Zealand and Mount Waialeale in Hawaii where you won't want to forget your brolly!
Ten of the world's rainiest places
- Cherrapunjee, India<p> Cherrapunjee in the East Khasi Hills, India holds the world record for the most rainfall in a month and year. In July 1861 it received a whopping 366 inches and between 1 August 1860 and 31 July 1861, 1,041.75 inches of rain fell. The rains come in from the Bay of Bengal, mainly falling in the morning, making it the ultimate spot to experience an Indian monsoon. Cherrapunjee is also famous for its waterfalls, hills and living root bridges. <a href="http://traveltheunknown.com/tours/MM/India/Monsoon%20Magic" target="_blank">Travel The Unknown</a> offers a Monsoon Magic holiday (£745 for seven days exc. flights) where you'll experience the infamous Indian summer in Cherrapunjee, visit bustling markets, rolling hills, jaw-dropping waterfalls and the bridges made from trees.</p>
- Choco, Colombia<p> Three of the world's rainiest places are located in the Choco department of Colombia with the whole area receiving an average of 400 inches of annual precipitation. Quibdo, the capital of Choco, is the wettest city in the world and receives 320 inches of rain per year. The town of Lloro has seen the highest average of annual rainfall with an estimated 523.6 inches. Unlike many places that have record rainfall, Tutunendo receives rain distributed throughout the year totalling an enormous 463.4 inches.</p>
- Mount Emei, China<p> The highest of the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism at 3,099 metres, Mount Emei in Sichuan, receives the highest level of rainfall in China with a yearly average of 68.866 inches. Rain is common year-round but is especially heavy in the summer when more than 70 per cent of the annual total falls from June to September. Weather aside, Mount Emei is a unique place to visit with its many temples and shrines, myths and legends and its mystical sunrise and Clouds Sea. The best way to enjoy Mount Emei is on foot where you'll come across a temple, monastery and snack bar every two to four miles. Just keep an eye out for the pickpockets... the Tibetan Macaques who rifle through rucksacks and like being fed by tourists!</p>
- Mount Waialeale, Hawaii<p> One of the rainiest spots in the world, Mount Waialeale on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, receives an average of 452 inches of rain a year. In 1912 it saw a record 683 inches of rain. It is wettest at higher elevation yet the rain is much heavier and more frequent at the slopes of Waialeale. The steady rainfall and lack of sun stunts the growth of the tropical vegetation, which form a full-on rainforest further down the slopes. But it's not all rain on Kauai. Head 10 miles west of Mount Waialeale and you'll find clear skies, intense sun and dry weather.</p>
- Crkvice, Montenegro<p> The wettest place on record in Europe is the village of Crkvice in the Orjen mountain range of Montenegro. Its average annual precipitation from 1931 to 1960 was 4,927mm and 4,631mm between 1961 and 1990. In 1937 Crkvice saw its all-time historic high at 8,036mm. Being within the Mediterranean subtropical belt makes winter and spring rainy seasons and like monsoon rain, the precipitation is seasonally spread often seeing 2,000 litres of water when there are thunderstorms in November and completely dry weather in August. Part of the Bay of Kotor, the area is a beautiful place to visit in summer, with the picturesque towns of Kotor, Risan and Tivat, plus stunning natural surroundings. <a href="http://www.montenegroholidays.com/" target="_blank">Explore Montenegro</a> offers villas for rent in the Bay of Kotor with deals on summer holidays.</p>
- Mawsynram, India<p> The tiny village of Mawsynram in the East Khasi Hills sees an average of 467.4 inches of rain per year. The Guinness Book of World Records says that in 1985 Mawsynram saw a huge 1,000 inches of rainfall. With its subtropical highland climate, the village rarely gets truly hot and one of the reasons for its high rainfall is the moist wind that comes from the Bay of Bengal. Conveniently, Mawsynram is located close to Cherrapunjee - another of the world's wettest places!</p>
- Reunion, Indian Ocean<p> This lush island in the Indian Ocean holds the record for the greatest 24-hour precipitation total on Earth. This was in 1952 between 15 and 16 March in Cilaos at the centre of Reunion, which received 73.62 inches of rainfall. The island also received the most rainfall in 72 hours at 154.7 inches at Commerson's Crater in March 2007 from Cyclone Gamede. In 1980 a storm caused the most rainfall over all periods ranging from four to 15 days at Commerson's Crater. The island is located directly in the paths of south-west Indian Ocean tropical cyclones so it often receives direct hits or feels grazing impacts. Reunion is a hiker's paradise with the unique 'cirques', an active volcano on the south coast, waterfalls, beaches and mountains to explore.</p>
- Milford Sound, New Zealand<p> As well as a famous film location where The Lord of the Rings was set, Milford Sound boasts one of the world's highest rainfalls per year with approximately 6,500mm of rain falling over 182 days. Surrounded by rainforest with temporary and two permanent waterfalls (Bowen and Stirling), it is considered a drought if the area doesn't receive rain for more than four days as the temporary waterfalls start to dry up! Visit the area during or just after rainfall when the cliffs surrounding the fiord turn into a mystical wall of cascading waterfalls. <a href="http://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz/" target="_blank">Southern Discoveries</a> offers Milford Sound cruises on boats that have indoor areas with large viewing windows so you don't have to get wet and large outdoor decks for if you want to experience the Milford weather!</p>
- Seathwaite, Cumbria<p> Britain isn't one of the wettest places in the world but we thought you'd be curious to find out which UK spots received the most rain. Some of the rainiest areas of the UK include Northwest Scotland, Cumbria and North Wales, but the spot that has seen the highest rainfall in a 24-hour period is Seathwaite in Cumbria, which received 316.4mm on 19 November 2009. The pretty hamlet in the Lake District's Borrowdale valley is a paradise for walkers and gives hikers access to mountains, like Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Glaramara.</p>
- Mount Bellenden Ker, Australia<p> Ever wanted to visit Australia's most sodden spot? Head to Mount Bellenden Ker in Queensland, Australia, which sees an average of 327.2 inches of rain a year and holds the record for the highest rainfall in a year at 490.6 inches in 2000 and the most rain in a month when it received 212.1 inches in January 1979. The area of Bellenden Ker at the base of Mount Bellenden Ker boasts diverse landscapes, waterfalls and over 40 scenic drives.</p>
