Why in the News?

Cherrapunji and Mawsynram have recorded about 50% below normal rainfall this year.

About the Wettest Places in India:

Cherrapunji (Sohra, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya) and Mawsynram (same district) are globally known as the wettest places on Earth.
Average annual rainfall: ~11,000–12,000 mm.
World record events:
- Highest annual rainfall: Mawsynram holds the record for highest annual rainfall.
- Heaviest rainfall: Cherrapunji recorded 2,493 mm in 48 hours (June 1995), one of the heaviest rainfalls ever documented.

Cherrapunji (Sohra): ~3,500 mm (≈50% deficit from normal).
Surlabbi (Kodagu, Karnataka): ~7,300 mm (highest in India this year).
Tamhini (Maharashtra): 5,788 mm (June–July).
Trend: At least 32 stations across India received more rainfall than Cherrapunji in June–July 2025.
Historical Low for Sohra: 5,401 mm in 1962 → 2025 may break this record if deficit continues.

Geographical Location: Lies on the southern slopes of the Khasi Hills, directly facing the Bay of Bengal branch of the southwest monsoon.
Orographic Effect: Moist monsoon winds hit the steep hills, rise rapidly, and cause heavy orographic rainfall.
Monsoon Duration: Receives rainfall almost continuously from June to September, with frequent cloudbursts.
Topography: Steep hills + valleys act as a trap for moisture-laden winds, leading to intense rainfall concentration.
Climatic Setting: Part of the Humid Subtropical/Monsoonal climate zone of Northeast India, with high moisture inflow.

[UPSC 2015] Consider the following States:

1. Arunachal Pradesh 2. Himachal Pradesh 3. Mizoram

In which of the above States do ‘Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests’ occur?

Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only* (d) 1, 2 and 3