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← Older revision		Revision as of 19:02, 10 February 2024
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	~~{{Redirect\|Cherra\|other places\|Cherra (disambiguation)}}~~
	~~{{Redirect\|Sohra\|places in Iran\|Sohra, Iran (disambiguation){{!}}Sohra, Iran}}~~
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=May 2021}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=May 2021}}
	{{Infobox settlement		{{Infobox settlement

SonOfZeus: Removing red links

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Removing red links

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:01, 10 February 2024
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	==Media==		==Media==
	Sohra has an [[All India Radio]] relay station known as Akashvani Sohra. It broadcasts on FM frequencies.		Sohra has an [[All India Radio]] relay station known as Akashvani Sohra. It broadcasts on FM frequencies.

	~~== See also ==~~

	* [[Rainfall#Wettest known locations\|Wettest places on Earth]]
	* [[Lloró]]
	* [[Big Bog, Maui]]
	* [[Quibdó]]
	* [[Villa Puerto Edén]]
	* [[Tourism in Northeast India]]

	== References ==		== References ==

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>Alvinhe21: /* Climate */

2021-06-11T14:06:36Z

Climate

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{{Redirect|Cherra|other places|Cherra (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Sohra|places in Iran|Sohra, Iran (disambiguation){{!}}Sohra, Iran}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Cherrapunji
| native_name = Sohra
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Cherrapunji.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Sohra has held the record for highest rainfall multiple times in the past
| nickname =
| pushpin_map = India Meghalaya#India
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Meghalaya
| coordinates = {{coord|25.284|N|91.721|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Meghalaya]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[East Khasi Hills district|East Khasi Hills]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1430
| population_total = 14816
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = 397
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| area_code = 03637
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate =
| website = http://cherrapunjee.gov.in/
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Khasi language|Khasi]], [[English language|English]]
| blank_name = [[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]]
| blank_info = {{convert|11777|mm|in}}
| blank1_name = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank1_info = [[Oceanic climate#Subtropical highland variety (Cwb)|Cwb]]
}}
'''Cherrapunji''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Cherrapunji.ogg|ˌ|tʃ|ɛ|r|ə|ˈ|p|ʌ|n|dʒ|i|,_|-|ˈ|p|ʊ|n|-}}) or '''Sohra''' is a subdivisional town in the [[East Khasi Hills district]] in the Indian state of [[Meghalaya]]. It is the traditional capital of ka ''hima'' Sohra (Khasi tribal kingdom).

Sohra has often been credited as being the wettest place on Earth, but for now nearby [[Mawsynram]] currently holds that distinction. It still holds the all-time record for the most rainfall in a calendar month and in a year, however: it received {{convert|9300|mm|in ft}} in July 1861 and {{convert|26461|mm|in ft}} between 1 August 1860 and 31 July 1861.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/10000/greatest-monthly-rainfall- |title=Most annual rainfall |access-date=2012-05-07 |work=Guinness World Records}}</ref>

== History ==
The history of the [[Khasi people]] – native inhabitants of Sohra– may be traced from the early part of the 16th century. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, these people were ruled by their tribal 'Syiems (rajas or chiefs) of Khyriem' in the [[Khasi Hills]]. The Khasi hills came under British authority in 1883 with the submission of the last of the important Syiem, Tirot Sing Syiem.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

The main pivot on which the entire superstructure of Khasi society rests is the matrilineal system.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

The original name for this town was Sohra (soh-ra), which was pronounced "Cherra" by the British. This name eventually evolved into a temporary name, Cherrapunji, meaning 'land of oranges', which was first used by tourists from other parts of India. It has again been renamed to its original form, Sohra.
[[File:1947-Khasi states.png|thumb|450px]]
Despite abundant rainfall, Sohra faces an acute water shortage and the inhabitants often have to trek very long distances to obtain potable water.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news
| first = Subir
| last = Bhaumik
| title = World's wettest area dries up
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2977169.stm
| format = stm
| work = South Asia News
| location = Calcutta
| date = 2003-04-28
| access-date = 2008-02-21
}}</ref> Irrigation is hampered due to excessive rain washing away the [[topsoil]] as a result of human encroachment into the forests. Recent developments of rain-water harvesting techniques in the area have greatly helped the town and its neighbouring villages.

There is a monument to David Scott (British Administrator in NE India, 1802–31) in the town's cemetery.

== Geography ==
{{climate chart
|Sohra, India
|7.2 |15.7 |11
|8.9 |17.3 |46
|12.5 |20.5 |240
|14.5 |21.7 |938
|16.1 |22.4 |1214
|17.9 |22.7 |2294
|18.1 |22.0 |3272
|18.2 |22.9 |1760
|17.5 |22.7 |1352
|15.8 |22.7 |549
|12.3 |20.4 |72
|8.3 |17.0 |29
|maxprecip=3272
|float=right
|clear=right
|source=[ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_II/IN/42515.TXT NOAA]
}}

It has an average elevation of {{convert|1430|m|ft}} and sits on a plateau in the southern part of the [[Khasi Hills]], facing the plains of [[Bangladesh]]. The plateau rises 660 meters above the surrounding valleys.

Soils on the plateau are poor owing to [[deforestation]] and [[Washout (erosion)|washout]] caused by heavy rainfall. Owing to winter droughts, the vegetation in this location is even [[xerophytic]] in spite of the town's fame as an extremely wet place. Additional pressure on local [[ecosystem]]s is created by the rapid increase of the population – from a Sohra-area population of 7,000 in 1960, it grew to over 10,000 by 2000.<ref name="wondermondo">{{cite web |url=http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/India/Meghalaya/Cherrapunji.htm |title=Cherrapunji (Sohra) |access-date=2010-08-29 |date=2010-08-28 |publisher=Wondermondo}}</ref>

The valleys around Sohra, however, are covered with lush and very diverse vegetation, containing numerous endemic species of plants, including [[Meghalaya subtropical forests]].

There are some interesting living root bridges in villages near Sohra like the [[Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge|Umshiang root bridge]], Mawsaw root bridge, Ritymmen root bridge and the Double Decker woot bridge at Nongriat village.

The [[Shillong Plateau]] is an uplifted horst-like feature, bounded by the E-W Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) to the North, the N–S Jamuna fault in the west, and the NW-SE kopilli fracture zone in the east.

===Climate===
[[File:Bengladesh Plains, View FromThangkharang Cherrapunjee 105.JPG|right|thumb|View of Bangladesh plains from Cherrapunji]]

Sohra has a mild [[subtropical highland climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cwb''), with [[monsoon]]al influences typical of India. Although Cherrapunji has very wet, warm summers, it has dry, mild winters. The city's annual rainfall average stands at {{convert|11777|mm|in}}.<ref name="weather1">{{cite web |url=https://www.climate-charts.com/Locations/i/IN42515.html |title=Cherrapunji, India: Climate, Global Warming, and Daylight Charts and Data |website=climate-charts.com |access-date= 11 January 2021}}</ref> This figure places it behind only nearby [[Mawsynram]], Meghalaya, whose average is {{convert|11873|mm|in}}. Sohra receives both the southwest and northeast [[monsoon]]al winds, giving it a single monsoon season. It lies on the [[windward]] side of the [[Khasi Hills]], so the resulting [[orographic lift]] enhances precipitation. In the winter months it receives the northeast monsoon showers that travel down the [[Brahmaputra]] valley. The driest months are November, December, January and February.

Temperatures average {{convert|11.5|°C|1}} in January and {{convert|20.6|°C|1}} in August, and the annual mean is {{convert|17.3|°C|1}}

Sohra holds two [[Guinness Book of Records|Guinness]] world records for receiving the maximum amount of rainfall in a single year: {{convert|26471|mm|in}} of rainfall between August 1860 and July 1861 and for receiving the maximum amount of rainfall in a single month: {{convert|9300|mm|in}} in July 1861.<ref>Guinness World Records 2005; pg-51 {{ISBN|0-85112-192-6}}</ref>

{{Cherrapunji weatherbox}}

===Causes of high rainfall===
{{unreferenced section|date = December 2014}}
[[File:Nohkalikai Falls.JPG|thumb|Nohkalikai falls]]
[[File:Nohkalikai falls.jpg|thumb|Seven Sisters' falls]]
[[File:NohKaLikai Falls V2 Wiki.jpg|thumb|NohKaLikai Falls Areal View]]
Sohra receives rains from the [[Bay of Bengal]] arm of the [[Monsoon#Southwest monsoon|Indian summer monsoon]]. The monsoon clouds fly unhindered over the plains of [[Bangladesh]] for about 400 km. Thereafter, they hit the [[Khasi Hills]] which rise abruptly from the plains to a height of about 1,370 m above [[mean sea level]] within 2 to 5 km. The geography of the hills with many deep valley channels encompassing the low-flying (150–300 m) moisture-laden clouds from a wide area converges over Sohra. The winds push the rain clouds through these gorges and up the steep slopes. The rapid ascent of the clouds into the upper atmosphere hastens the cooling and helps vapours to condense. Most of the rain is the result of air being lifted as a large body of water vapour. The extreme amount of rainfall is perhaps the best-known feature of [[Orographic precipitation#Orographic|orographic rain]] in northeastern India.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Kuttippurath|first1=J|last2=Murasingh|first2=S|last3=Stott|first3=P A|last4=Sarojini|first4=B Balan|last5=Jha|first5=Madan K|last6=Kumar|first6=P|last7=Nair|first7=P J|last8=Varikoden|first8=H|last9=Raj|first9=S|last10=Francis|first10=P A|last11=Pandey|first11=P C|date=2021-01-22|title=Observed rainfall changes in the past century (1901–2019) over the wettest place on Earth|url=https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/abcf78|journal=Environmental Research Letters|volume=16|issue=2|pages=024018|doi=10.1088/1748-9326/abcf78|bibcode=2021ERL....16b4018K|issn=1748-9326|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Occasionally, cloudbursts can occur in one part of Sohra while other areas may be totally or relatively dry, reflecting the high spatial variability of the rainfall. Atmospheric humidity is extremely high during the peak monsoon period.

The major part of the rainfall at Sohra can be attributed to the orographic features. When the clouds are blown over the hills from the south, they are funneled through the valley. The clouds strike Sohra perpendicularly and the low flying clouds are pushed up the steep slopes. It is not surprising to find that the heaviest rainfalls occur when the winds blow directly on the Khasi Hills.

A notable feature of monsoon rain at Sohra is that most of it falls in the morning. This could be partly due to two air masses coming together. During the monsoon months, the prevailing winds along the [[Brahmaputra]] valley generally blow from the east or the northeast, but the winds over [[Meghalaya]] are from the south. These two winds systems usually come together in the vicinity of the Khasi Hills. Apparently, the winds that are trapped in the valley at night begin their upward ascent only after they are warmed during the day. This partially explains the frequency of morning rainfall. Apart from orographic features, atmospheric convection plays an important role during the monsoon and the period just preceding it.

==Demographics==
As of the 2011 Census in India, Sohra had a population of 10,086, with males 48.75% of the total population and females 51.25%. It has an average literacy rate of 74%, equal to the national average of 74.5%, with a male literacy rate of 72.4% and a female one of 73.9%.

{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Cherrapunji (2011)<ref name="religion">{{cite web |title=C-1 Population By Religious Community |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW17C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=census.gov.in |accessdate=14 November 2020}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Christianity]]
|value1 = 95.76
|color1 = Blue
|label2 = [[Hinduism]]
|value2 = 3.97
|color2 = Orange
|label3 = [[Islam]]
|value3 = 0.08
|color3 = Green
|label4 = Others
|value4 = 0.19
|color4 = yellow}}

Most of the people in the town overwhelmingly follow [[Christianity]], with significant followers of [[Hinduism]] and a very small [[Muslim]] population.<ref name="religion"/>

==Culture==
[[File:Khasi tribe para dance.jpg|right|thumb|Khasi children (1944)]]The locals living in and around Sohra are known as [[Khasi people|Khasis]]. It is a [[matrilineality|matrilineal]] culture. After the wedding, the husband of the youngest daughter goes to live with his wife's family, who own the property of the family, while others live on their own getting a bit of the share. The children take on the surname of the mother.<ref>[http://www.cherrapunjee.com/index.php?mid=35&pid=7 Cherrapunjee Vacation Resort website]</ref>

Sohra is also famous for its [[living root bridges|living bridges]]. Over hundreds of years the people have developed techniques for growing roots of trees into large bridges. The process takes 10 to 15 years and the bridges typically last hundreds of years, the oldest ones in use being over 500 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://webecoist.com/2009/10/21/bridge-to-nature-amazing-indian-living-root-bridges/ |title=Bridge to Nature: Amazing Indian Living Root Bridges |access-date=23 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129174355/http://webecoist.com/2009/10/21/bridge-to-nature-amazing-indian-living-root-bridges/ |archive-date=29 November 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Education==
[[Sohra Government College]] is the only general degree college in the town. Most students move to the state capital for college degrees. Schools, like the Ramkrishna Mission which are independent and government-run schools like the Thomas Jones School have been set up in and around the town.

[[File:Bangladesh view point by Kamalapathi.jpg|thumb|Bangladesh View Point in Chirapunji]]

==Media==
Sohra has an [[All India Radio]] relay station known as Akashvani Sohra. It broadcasts on FM frequencies.

== See also ==
* [[Rainfall#Wettest known locations|Wettest places on Earth]]
* [[Lloró]]
* [[Big Bog, Maui]]
* [[Quibdó]]
* [[Villa Puerto Edén]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Sources and external links==
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Cherrapunji}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100704080658/http://www.cherrapunjee.com/ cherrapunjee.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121002052449/http://www.geox.com/amphibiox/ Interactive Film Documentary by Geox - Testing A New Waterproof Shoe In The Rainiest Place On Earth]
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/news/%3Cb%3EFOR-A-RAINY-DAY%3C/b%3E/298609/ 'For a Rainy Day', The Indian Express, 20 April 2008, by Arjun Razdan]

{{Meghalaya}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:East Khasi Hills district]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in East Khasi Hills district]]
[[Category:Weather extremes of Earth]]
[[Category:Geography of Meghalaya]]

Cherrapunji - Revision history

RichyCapy: formatting fix

SonOfZeus: Removing red linked templates

SonOfZeus: Removing red links

37.186.49.6: robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

>Alvinhe21: /* Climate */