Move over, Cherrapunji! This place in Maharashtra sets a new monsoon benchmark

Tamhini Ghat (Credit: @maha_tourism / X)

The ghat regions near Pune are witnessing an extraordinary monsoon season, with Tamhini Ghat recording rainfall levels that have not only set a new state benchmark but also surpassed those of Cherrapunji, long considered one of the wettest places on Earth.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Tamhini Ghat recorded 210 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours on June 1, bringing its seasonal total (from June 1 to July 1) to 2,515 mm. In stark contrast, Cherrapunji has yet to touch the 1,000 mm mark for the season. Even other popular monsoon destinations near Pune, such as Lonavala and Mulshi, have outpaced Cherrapunji in rainfall this year.

This dramatic shift has caught the attention of weather experts nationwide. Dr. Vineet Kumar, a noted meteorologist, highlighted the development on his X handle, stating: “Tamhini recorded 210mm in last 24hrs. Seasonal total (1june-1july) now stands at 2515mm. Cherrapunji yet to touch 1000mm mark. Even Lonavala, Mulshi are ahead of Cherrapunji. Data: IMD”

Earlier, Dr. Kumar had also remarked that the 2075mm rainfall recorded in Tamhini Ghat marks a historic high for the region, nearly 2.25 times more than what Cherrapunji received.

Meteorological experts attribute this exceptional rainfall in Tamhini and the Pune district to favorable atmospheric pressure conditions, intense monsoon surges over the Western Ghats and unique topographical features that trap moisture. “The Western Ghats are experiencing highly localized weather systems this year, leading to an unprecedented accumulation of rainfall in Tamhini,” said an IMD official, cited Punekar News.

Historically, Cherrapunji and Mawsynram in Meghalaya have held the record for the highest rainfall in the country, but this year, the Western Ghats, particularly the Maharashtra stretch, are emerging as the new epicenter of extreme monsoon activity. As per Punekar News, last year, Tamhini recorded 10,000 mm of rain between June and September and this year’s early and intense rains are on track to surpass even those figures.