Cherrapunji receives 1824 mm of rain in August so far, more showers likely

Southwest Monsoon remained active over Northeast India, particularly Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh since the beginning of August. Cherrapunji situated in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, has been receiving continuous good to very heavy showers and recorded 1824.4 mm of rain so far, against the monthly average of 1914 mm.
According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, more showers are likely in the coming days but the highest monthly rain of 2966 mm (2008), in last 10 years, still seems far-fetched.
Why Cherrapunji receives heavy rain?
Cherrapunji holds the status of being the second wettest place on Earth. Nevertheless, it still holds the world record for highest rainfall in a calendar month and a year with 9300 mm in July, 1861 and 26,461 mm between 1st August, 1860 and 31st July, 1861. On an average, Cherrapunji receives 13500 mm of rain annually. The nearby town of Mawsynram has been credited with being the wettest place in the world.
Cherrapunji is thronged by numerous visitors since ages and was the capital of Northeast India during the British colonial rule. Here are few reasons for heavy showers here:-
Weather here remains cool and comfortable throughout the year on account of its contrasting topography, which is also the reason for such heavy rain. Cherrapunji sits on a plateau, with an average elevation of 4560 ft. above the sea level. It is situated at an ideal height, neither too low nor too high, and allows the monsoon air mass to rise from plains to the cliffs. Geographically also Cherrapunji is ideally placed, perpendicular to the flow of winds coming from the Bay of Bengal. Thereby, the moist winds get obstructed by the hills of Meghalaya and bring heavy showers over the area. Cherrapunji is saved from inundation as all the rain water flows down the slopes to Bangladesh, making their plains either lush green or water-logged throughout the year. The months of June and July also receive heavy rain with average of 2512 mm and 3000 mm, respectively. The intensity of rain decreases by October and drastically comes down in November with a meagre average of 74 mm of rain. The winter season receives very less amounts of rain.
By: Skymetweather.com