Beyond the Buckets: Where the Monsoon Truly Poured in Maharashtra, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu (2024 Season) 

This monsoon season (data up to early August 2024), Maharashtra’s Tamini emerged as the undisputed national rainfall champion, receiving an extraordinary 5,788 mm, driven by its prime location in the Western Ghats. Karnataka’s Western Ghats stations proved relentless, dominating the top ten list with six entries – led by Surlabbi in Kodagu (4,931 mm) and Hulikal in Shivamogga (4,922 mm) – showcasing the region’s intense orographic rainfall.

Maharashtra also featured other drenched locations like Shirgaon and Dawadi. In stark contrast, Tamil Nadu’s rainfall was dramatically lower; its wettest spot, Chinnakallar, recorded only 2,719 mm – less than half of Tamini’s total. This disparity highlights the rain-shadow effect east of the Ghats, further emphasized by the shocking fact that Tamil Nadu also contained India’s driest districts, including Thoothukudi and Pamban, which registered 0 mm. Major cities reflected this divide, with Mumbai seeing substantial totals while Chennai remained parched.

Beyond the Buckets: Where the Monsoon Truly Poured in Maharashtra, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu (2024 Season) 

While much of India breathed a sigh of relief with an ‘above normal’ monsoon start (6% above average June 1 – July 31), the story wasn’t uniform. The heaviest downpours were fiercely concentrated, revealing fascinating regional contrasts, especially across the key states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. 

The Undisputed Champion: Tamini, Maharashtra 

Claiming the national crown for the highest monsoon rainfall so far is Tamini in Maharashtra, with a staggering 5,788 mm (over 18.9 feet!) of rain. Located deep within the Western Ghats, Tamini exemplifies the phenomenon of orographic rainfall, where moisture-laden monsoon winds are forced upwards by the mountains, unleashing torrential precipitation. This isn’t just a number – it’s more than five times the height of an average person! 

Karnataka’s Western Ghats Powerhouses Dominate the Top 10 

While Tamini took the top spot, Karnataka’s Western Ghats districts proved to be relentless rain magnets, securing an impressive 6 out of the top 10 spots nationally: 

1. Surlabbi (Kodagu): 4,931 mm 

1. Hulikal (Shivamogga): 4,922 mm (A perennial contender, often neck-and-neck with Tamini) 

1. Masthikatte (Shivamogga): 4,818 mm 

1. Mani (Shivamogga): 4,660 mm 

1. Castle Rock (Uttar Kannada): 4,568 mm 

1. Agumbe (Shivamogga): 4,456 mm (The “Cherrapunji of the South” living up to its name) 

Shivamogga district alone emerges as a colossal rain basin, hosting four of these top performers. 

Maharashtra’s Ghat Stations: More Than Just Tamini 

Beyond its champion, Maharashtra demonstrated its own wet zones within the Ghats: 

• Shirgaon: 4,765 mm (National #5) 

• Dawadi: 4,475 mm (#8) 

• Patherpunj: 4,459 mm (#9) 

• Amboli: 4,381 mm 

• Patgaon: 4,232 mm 

Tamil Nadu: A Study in Stark Contrast 

The story takes a dramatic turn moving to Tamil Nadu. While blessed with some rain-shadowed regions, the state’s wettest recorded location, Chinnakallar (2,719 mm), received less than half the rainfall of Tamini and significantly less than Karnataka’s top stations. Other wet spots like Avalanche (2,471 mm) and Valparai PTO (1,969 mm) further highlight this substantial difference. 

This disparity underscores a harsh reality for parts of the state: Tamil Nadu also dominated the list of India’s driest cities during this period. Locations like Thoothukudi, Pamban, and Karur recorded a shocking 0 mm of rain between June 1 and early August, with Madurai and Trichy also experiencing severe deficits. 

Why Such Dramatic Differences? 

The answer lies in geography and the monsoon’s path: 

• The Western Ghats Wall: Maharashtra and Karnataka’s west-facing slopes bear the brunt of the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon, forcing massive uplift and condensation. 

• The Rain Shadow: Tamil Nadu lies largely in the “rain shadow” east of the Western Ghats. While the hills (like Nilgiris where Chinnakallar is) catch some spillover, the low-lying plains receive significantly less, especially if the Bay of Bengal branch is weak (as evidenced by the 22% deficit in East & NE India). 

• Micro-climates: Within the Ghats, specific valley orientations and local topography (like around Tamini or Agumbe) create hyper-localized zones of extreme rainfall. 

Metro Musings: Mumbai Soaked, Chennai Parched 

The contrast extends to major cities: 

• Mumbai (Airport): 1,688 mm 

• Mumbai (City): 1,476 mm 

• Kolkata: 916 mm 

• Chennai (City): 269 mm 

• Chennai (Airport): 109 mm 

• Bengaluru (City): 145 mm 

The Bigger Picture: Silver Linings 

Despite regional imbalances, the overall monsoon performance has been largely positive: 

• Agricultural Boost: Timely rain supported Kharif sowing, with acreage up 4% year-on-year by late July. 

• Contained Disasters: While localized flooding occurred (e.g., Himachal Pradesh), widespread catastrophic flooding was avoided compared to 2024. 

• Reservoir Recharge: Heavy rain in catchment areas of the Western Ghats significantly replenished reservoirs crucial for millions. 

Conclusion 

The 2024 monsoon season painted a vivid picture of India’s diverse climate. Tamini (Maharashtra) and the relentless stations of Karnataka’s Western Ghats (Surlabbi, Hulikal, Masthikatte, etc.) were the undisputed rainfall kings. Their extraordinary totals highlight the power of geography. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s significantly lower totals, especially its bone-dry eastern districts, serve as a stark reminder of the monsoon’s uneven bounty. Understanding these patterns is crucial not just for weather enthusiasts, but for water resource management and agricultural planning across these vital states.