Whether you love or loathe the wet weather, it’s part and parcel of Mother Nature and something we can’t quite escape. If you’ve ever wondered which countries experience the most downpour, consider your curiosity satisfied – publishing company WorldAtlas has compiled rainfall data and released a list of the top 10 rainiest countries in the world, with three countries in Asia making the cut.
Topping the list is Colombia, with an estimated 3,240mm of annual rainfall, thanks to its equatorial convection and geography. Next is Sao Tome and Principe, followed by Papua New Guinea in third place. And as mentioned earlier, three Asian countries also feature in the ranking.
Asia’s rainiest countries
Malaysia (#8)
Coming in eighth place is Malaysia, which sees an average annual rainfall of 2,875mm. The country’s location near the equator subjects it to heavy rainfall throughout the year. In East Malaysia, its proximity to the Philippines and typhoons crossing the South China Sea also contribute to the wetter conditions.
For those who might need a quick geography refresher – equatorial regions are typically hot and humid, causing large amounts of water to evaporate from dense rainforests and nearby water bodies. This warm, moist air rises, cools, and condenses into clouds, resulting in frequent rain.
Best time to visit: Malaysia typically experiences two monsoon seasons – from November to March and May to September. It’s best to avoid travelling during these months and plan your visit in the drier periods of April or early October.
Borneo (#9)
Borneo ranks ninth on the list, with an annual average of around 2,772mm of rainfall. Much like Malaysia, its close proximity to the equator contributes to its consistently wet climate.
Best time to visit: The monsoon season in Borneo generally falls between December and March, and again from May to September. To dodge the heaviest downpours, aim to visit in April or early October.
Indonesia (#10)
Rounding off the list in tenth place is Indonesia, with an average of 2,702mm of rain per year. The country experiences high rainfall throughout the year due to its position along the equator, and it's also within the path of the East and Southeast Asian monsoon routes.
Best time to visit: Indonesia’s monsoon season typically runs from November to March, with drier months happening from April to October. However, popular destinations like Bali tend to experience peak tourist crowds from June to August, so May may just be your best bet.
View the full list here.
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