Shillong: Meghalaya’s Mawsynram will soon become home to the world’s first rain museum.
Mawsynram, also the wettest place on Earth, receives an average of nearly 12,000 mm of rainfall annually.
The museum will showcase engaging exhibits and realistic rain simulations with the aim of celebrating the wet and drizzly nature of the state.
Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh recently confirmed that tenders for the project have been floated. “The construction will begin after the current monsoon season,” he added.
The main objective of the project is to establish Mawsynram as a niche global destination that combines scientific and sensory experiences in equal measure.
The museum aims to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience impossible to get elsewhere. The museum will offer interactive weather exhibits where visitors can learn about clouds, the physics behind them and climate change.
With an estimated budget of Rs 35 crore, the museum will be a teaching centre focused on the area’s distinct weather patterns.
Once complete, the museum will boast immersive rain experience zones, Khasi cultural exhibits, and a state-of-the-art research facility. This facility will be equipped with rain gauges and cutting-edge monitoring equipment, with potential for collaborations with esteemed institutions like the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Mawsynram is an offbeat paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. This tranquil village offers a serene escape from the crowds, boasting lush green landscapes, breathtaking waterfalls, and mystical caves.
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The rain museum project is part of a larger eco-tourism initiative that also includes new roads, additional homestays, an eco-resort near Mawmluh, and training and employment opportunities for local communities.
