7 Questions
What marks the start of the rainy season in India?
The onset of the south-west monsoon
Why do the temperatures in the north-western plains remain high during the rainy season?
Due to low pressure conditions
What happens to the south-east trade winds after crossing the Equator?
They become westward-moving
Which region still experiences temperatures reaching up to 40°C during the rainy season?
Desert areas of Rajasthan
What causes the change in wind direction in the Indo-Gangetic plain?
Coriolis effect
Why is the South-West monsoon named as such?
Due to its direction
What is the significance of low pressure conditions for attracting trade winds?
They attract trade winds
Study Notes
The Rainy Season or The South-West Monsoon Season
- The change in direction of monsoon winds is due to relief features and thermal low pressure over north-west India.
- Three-fourths of India's total annual rainfall is received during this season.
Monsoon Winds
- The monsoon winds have two branches: the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch.
- The Arabian Sea branch strikes the western coast of India in Kerala on 1st June.
- The windward side of the Sahyadris receives very heavy rainfall.
- The Arabian Sea branch causes rainfall in the Deccan plateau, Madhya Pradesh, and the Ganga plains.
- Another part of the Arabian Sea branch strikes the Saurashtra peninsula and Kachchh, causing scanty rainfall in west Rajasthan and along the Aravalis.
Bay of Bengal Branch
- The Bay of Bengal branch mingles with the Arabian Sea branch in the Ganga plains.
- The combined branches cause rainfall in the Western Himalayas.
Local Winds
- In Bengal, local winds are called Kal Baisakhi, which are accompanied by thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
- These winds are beneficial for tea crops in April and May.
- Loo is a hot, dry wind that blows in May and June, affecting the Northern Plain.
- Loo brings high temperatures, sometimes rising up to 45°C or 50°C, causing sunstroke.
- Loo is common in Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Mango Showers
- Mango showers occur in South India during April-May, bringing a little rain essential for mango, tea, and coffee plantations.
- These showers are important for the crops in this region.
Weather Conditions
- Temperature begins to fall as the monsoon rainfall intensifies.
- North-western parts and desert areas of Rajasthan still have high temperatures, up to 40°C.
- Low pressure conditions prevail in north-western plains, attracting trade winds from the Southern Hemisphere.
- The Coriolis effect deflects these winds to the right, making them follow a south-westerly direction.
Monsoon Characteristics
- The monsoon winds follow a south-westerly direction throughout Peninsular India.
- In the Indo-Gangetic plain, the direction of the monsoon winds changes, moving from east to west.
Test your knowledge on the monsoon winds and rainfall patterns in India. Learn about the influence of relief features, thermal low pressure, and the two branches of monsoon winds. Dive into the details of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal branches and their impact on the western coast of India.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
