Indian Ocean and Taiwan Rainfalls Set New Records

Recently obtained information on rainfall maxima on the island of La Réunion, about 400 mi. east of Madagascar, established new records for durations from 9 hr. to 8 days. Some of the previous record values for 15 to 24 hr. were exceeded also by Taiwan rainfalls, which were, however, of much lower magnitude than those at La Réunion. World-record values for durations from 1 min. to 2 yr. are listed. The envelope curve of these maxima may be defined by the expression R= 16.6 D0.475, where R is rainfall in inches and D is duration in hours.