Indian Geography: Climate & Monsoons

The climate of India is described as the ‘monsoon’ type. It is characterized by a seasonal reversal of wind direction, which significantly dictates the country’s agrarian economy.

The Mechanism of Monsoon

• Differential Heating: The unequal heating and cooling of land and water creates pressure differences.
• ITCZ Shift: The northward shift of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone in summer over the Ganga plain.
• South-West Monsoon: Enters India in two branches: The Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch.
• Burst of Monsoon: The sudden increase in rainfall with thunder and lightning at the arrival of the monsoon.

Key Climatic Phenomena

• Mango Showers: Pre-monsoon showers in Kerala and Karnataka that help in the early ripening of mangoes.
• Loo: Strong, gusty, hot, dry winds blowing during the day over north and northwestern India.
• Retreating Monsoon: Occurs during October-November, providing rainfall mainly to the Tamil Nadu coast.
• Western Disturbances: Shallow cyclonic depressions originating over the Mediterranean Sea that bring winter rain to NW India.

Question for you: Which place in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world?

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