Top 10 Indian States With Highest Average Annual Rainfall: Not Meghalaya, This State Ranks At Top

By Ridam Sharma
Mon, 05 May 2025 01:39 PM (IST)

Source:JND

Indian States With Highest Average Annual Rainfall: India's diverse geography is the reason for climate variability across the nation. As some states are recorded as one of the driest states in India, others are recorded as the wettest state. The states with the highest average annual rainfalls are from the northeast and the Western Ghats, which makes them crucial for India's monsoon system. The high levels of rainfall support dense forests, rich wildlife, and productive agriculture. However, they may also sometimes become the cause of life-threatening calamities like floods and landslides. The varying geography and climate of each state give it its own monsoon experience, which makes these states interesting for both tourists and researchers.

Check Out The List Of Top 10 Indian States With The Highest Average Annual Rainfall, According To The Data By Rainwaterharvesting.org:

Rank	State	Meteorological Divisions	Average annual rainfall (mm)
1.	Karnataka (Coastal Karnataka)	Coastal Karnataka North Interior Karnataka South Interior Karnataka	3,456 731 1,126
2.	Kerala	Kerala	3,055
3.	Goa	Konkan and Goa	3,005
4.	Maharashtra	Konkan and Goa Madhya Maharashtra Marathwada Vidarbha	3,005 901 882 1,034
5.	Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Union Territory)	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	2,967
6.	Arunachal Pradesh	Arunachal Pradesh	2,782
7.	Assam	Assam and Meghalaya	2,818
8.	Meghalaya	Assam and Meghalaya	2,818
9.	West Bengal	Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim Gangetic West Bengal	2,739 1,439
10.	Sikkim	Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim	2,739
11.	Nagaland	Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura	1,881
	Manipur	Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura	1,881
	Mizoram	Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura	1,881
	Tripura	Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura	1,881

1. Karnataka

Karnataka is a coastal region that receives very high rainfall, with areas getting up to 3,456 mm, which is the highest average rainfall annually. The dense greenery of the place plays a crucial role in intercepting the monsoon clouds, making this region more lush and green.

2. Kerala

Kerala receives the second-highest rainfall, which is around 3,055 mm, all thanks to its geopolitical location, as it is situated on the windward side of the Western Ghats, which leads to heavy rainfall in the region.

3. Goa

Goa is situated at the windward side of the Western Ghats and receives an average rainfall of approximately 3005 mm per year. The timely monsoon season is crucial for the state's agriculture and overall nature's beauty.

4. Maharashtra

Maharashtra faces an average annual rainfall of around 3005 mm due to its geographical location, especially the influence of the Arabian Sea branch of the South-West Monsoon.

5. Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh gets one of the highest average annual rainfall of approximately 2,782 mm during the year through the southwest monsoon. This northernmost state is all about hilly terrain and dense forest. Its valleys and rivers bloom during rainy days with a rich variety of flora and fauna.

6. Assam

Assam is located within the Brahmaputra valley and gets substantial rainfall, marking the average annual rainfall of 2,818 mm. Monsoon is crucial for the state’s tea gardens and rich ecosystems, but is also the reason for life-threatening floods in the region.

7. Meghalaya

Meghalaya, with places like Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, is famous as the wettest Indian and global state. As per numerous reports, Mawsynram has a record-breaking average yearly rainfall of approximately 11,872 mm, whereas Cherrapunji follows closely. The geography of the state is packed with hills and valleys, which cause relentless rain in the area, with around 2818 mm of average rainfall annually. The state is well known for its living root bridges, waterfalls, and dense greenery.

8. West Bengal

West Bengal is the northern and sub-Himalayan districts, which receive high rainfall, averaging as much as 2,739 mm every year. Rivers in the region are important for agriculture, but also get flooded during the monsoon season.

9. Sikkim

Sikkim is situated in the Eastern Himalayas and receives heavy precipitation, especially during the monsoon months. The state's highest average annual rainfall stands at approximately 2,739 mm, supporting its rich biodiversity and aesthetically pleasing, green landscapes.

10. Nagaland

Nagaland is a hilly state and receives an average rainfall of approximately 1,881 mm per year. The timely monsoon season is crucial for the state's agriculture, dense forests, and overall biodiversity.

10. Manipur

Manipur also gets approximately 1,881 mm of rainfall each year. The monsoon is crucial for the state’s lakes, wetlands, and agriculture. Additionally, the rainy season significantly supports the state's large rural population.

10. Mizoram

The northeastern state, Mizoram, also receives an average of 1,881 mm of rainfall each year. Its valley and rolling hills are particularly beautiful during the monsoon, which also fosters rich vegetation and wildlife of the state.

10. Tripura

Tripura is located in northeastern India. The state records an average rainfall of around 1881 mm annually. The monsoon transforms Tripura into a rainy paradise, supporting its rich biodiversity and agricultural productivity.