Pune: Tamhini Ghats Record Rainfall Surpassing Cherrapunji, Setting New Monsoon Benchmark For Maharashtra
Pune, 1st July 2025: Heavy rainfall continues to lash the ghat regions of Pune district, with Tamhini Ghat recording 210 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours alone. June has brought an exceptional 2,515 mm of rain to the region, with areas like Lonavala and Mulshi witnessing unprecedented precipitation levels — surpassing even the famed rain capital of India, Cherrapunji.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cherrapunji has yet to cross the 1,000 mm rainfall mark this season. In contrast, Tamhini and Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra have experienced unusually intense rainfall since May, driven by favorable atmospheric pressure conditions. In just 26 days of June, Tamhini has received more than 2,500 mm of rain.
Last year, despite the presence of El Niño conditions which typically suppress rainfall, Tamhini recorded 10,000 mm of rain between June and September, while Mahabaleshwar saw around 7,000 mm during the same monsoon period. This year’s early and intense rains are outpacing even those figures.
While Cherrapunji and Mawsynram in Meghalaya traditionally hold the record for the highest rainfall in the country, scientists from the IMD have now presented a landmark research paper highlighting the Western Ghats — particularly the Maharashtra stretch — as one of the wettest regions in India during the monsoon.
In 2024, Mawsynram received approximately 11,000 mm of rain between June and September. However, Tamhini wasn’t far behind, with a recorded 10,700 mm during the same period. This year, it appears Tamhini has overtaken both Cherrapunji and Mawsynram, positioning itself as the new epicenter of extreme monsoon activity in the country.
