{"id":612,"date":"2025-06-21T11:14:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-21T05:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/?p=612"},"modified":"2025-06-21T11:14:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T05:44:18","slug":"monsoon-definition-indian-geography-asian-climate-geography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/monsoon-definition-indian-geography-asian-climate-geography\/","title":{"rendered":"Monsoon of South Asia Climate and Indian Geography Most Important Topic"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Monsoon of South Asia Climate and Indian Geography Most Important Topic For UPSC, SSC, PCS, &amp; Other Competative Exams<\/h2>\n<p>The <b>monsoon of South Asia<\/b> is among several geographically distributed <a title=\"Monsoon\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Monsoon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">global monsoons<\/a>. It affects the <a title=\"Indian subcontinent\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_subcontinent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian subcontinent<\/a>, where it is one of the oldest and most anticipated <a title=\"Weather\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Weather\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">weather<\/a> phenomena and an economically important pattern every year from June through September, but it is only partly understood and notoriously difficult to predict. Several theories have been proposed to explain the origin, process, strength, variability, distribution, and general vagaries of the monsoon, but understanding and predictability are still evolving. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/p>\n<p>The unique <a title=\"Geography of India\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Geography_of_India\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">geographical features of the Indian subcontinent<\/a>, along with associated <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Atmospheric\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Atmospheric\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">atmospheric<\/a>, <a title=\"Ocean\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ocean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">oceanic<\/a>, and <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Geophysical\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Geophysical\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">geophysical<\/a> factors, influence the behavior of the monsoon. Because of its effect on <a title=\"Agriculture\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Agriculture\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">agriculture<\/a>, on <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Flora and fauna\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Flora_and_fauna\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">flora and fauna<\/a>, and on the climates of nations such as <a title=\"India\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/India\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">India<\/a>, <a title=\"Nepal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nepal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nepal<\/a>, <a title=\"Bangladesh\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bangladesh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangladesh<\/a>, <a title=\"Bhutan\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bhutan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bhutan<\/a>, <a title=\"Pakistan\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pakistan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pakistan<\/a>, and <a title=\"Sri Lanka\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sri_Lanka\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sri Lanka<\/a> \u2014 among other <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Economic\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Economic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">economic<\/a>, <a title=\"Social\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Social\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social<\/a>, and <a title=\"Natural environment\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Natural_environment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">environmental<\/a> effects \u2014 the monsoon is one of the most anticipated, tracked,<sup id=\"cite_ref-Frater2005_3-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> and studied weather phenomena in the region. It has a significant effect on the overall well-being of residents and has even been dubbed the &#8220;real finance minister of India&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Understanding the <strong>monsoon<\/strong> is crucial for grasping the climate and geography of South Asia. The <strong>monsoon<\/strong> is a seasonal wind pattern that brings heavy rainfall to the region, affecting not only the weather but also shaping the landscape and influencing life in South Asia. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the <strong>monsoon<\/strong> of South Asia, exploring its patterns, impacts, and significance in Indian geography.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Definition\" class=\"mw-headline\">Definition<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The word <i>monsoon<\/i> (derived from the Arabic &#8220;mausam,&#8221; meaning &#8220;season&#8221;), although generally defined as a system of <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Winds\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Winds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">winds<\/a> characterized by a seasonal reversal of direction,lacks a consistent, detailed definition. Some examples are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The <a title=\"American Meteorological Society\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Meteorological_Society\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Meteorological Society<\/a> calls it a name for seasonal winds, first applied to the winds blowing over the <a title=\"Arabian Sea\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Arabian_Sea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arabian Sea<\/a> from the northeast for six months and from the southwest for six months.<sup id=\"cite_ref-AMS_6-1\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> The term has since been extended to similar winds in other parts of the world.<\/li>\n<li>The <a title=\"Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Intergovernmental_Panel_on_Climate_Change\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change<\/a> (IPCC) describes a monsoon as a tropical and subtropical seasonal reversal in both surface winds and associated <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Precipitation (meteorology)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Precipitation_(meteorology)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">precipitation<\/a>, caused by differential heating between a continental-scale land mass and the adjacent ocean.<sup id=\"cite_ref-IPCCdef_7-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/li>\n<li>The <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Indian Meteorological Department\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_Meteorological_Department\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Meteorological Department<\/a> defines it as the seasonal reversal of the direction of winds along the shores of the <a title=\"Indian Ocean\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_Ocean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Ocean<\/a>, especially in the Arabian Sea, which blow from the southwest for half of the year and from the northeast for the other half.<\/li>\n<li>Colin Stokes Ramage, in <i>Monsoon Meteorology<\/i>, defines the monsoon as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"Background\" class=\"mw-headline\">Background<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Observed initially by sailors in the Arabian Sea<sup id=\"cite_ref-Selin1997_10-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> traveling between <a title=\"Africa\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Africa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Africa<\/a>, <a title=\"India\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/India\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">India<\/a>, and <a title=\"Southeast Asia\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Southeast_Asia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Southeast Asia<\/a>, the monsoon can be categorized into two <i>branches<\/i> based on their spread over the subcontinent:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Arabian Sea branch<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Bay of Bengal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bay_of_Bengal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bay of Bengal<\/a> branch<\/li>\n<li>Alternatively, it can be categorized into two <i>segments<\/i> based on the direction of rain-bearing winds:\n<ul>\n<li>Southwest (SW) monsoon<\/li>\n<li>Northeast (NE) monsoon<sup id=\"cite_ref-11\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Based on the time of year that these winds bring rain to India, the monsoon can also be categorized into two <i>periods<\/i>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Summer monsoon (May to September)<\/li>\n<li>Winter monsoon (October to November)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The complexity of the monsoon of South Asia is not completely understood, making it difficult to accurately predict the quantity, timing, and geographic distribution of the accompanying precipitation. These are the most monitored components of the monsoon, and they determine the water availability in India for any given year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"Changes_of_the_Monsoon\" class=\"mw-headline\">Changes of the Monsoon<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Monsoons typically occur in tropical areas. One area that monsoons impact greatly is India. In India monsoons create an entire season in which the winds reverse completely.<sup id=\"cite_ref-:0_13-2\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Various atmospheric conditions influence the monsoon winds. The first condition is the differential heating and cooling of land and water. This creates low pressure on the landmass, while high pressure is created over the seas during daytime, but is reversed during the night time.<\/p>\n<p>The second condition is the shift in the position of <a title=\"Intertropical Convergence Zone\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Intertropical_Convergence_Zone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone<\/a> (ITCZ). In summer, the equatorial trough normally positioned about 5\u00b0N of the equator moves over the Ganga plain creating a monsoon trough during the monsoon season.<\/p>\n<p>The third condition is the presence of the high-pressure area that develops east of Madagascar. It is approximately at 20\u00b0S over the Indian Ocean. The intensity and position of this high-pressure area affects the Indian Monsoon.<\/p>\n<p>The fourth condition develops during the summer. The Tibetan Plateau gets intensely heated resulting in strong vertical air currents and high pressure over the plateau about 9\u00a0km above sea level. The fifth condition develops during the summer due to the movement of the westerly jet streams to the north of the Himalayas and the presence of the tropical easterly jet stream over the Indian Peninsula.<\/p>\n<p>Changes in pressure over the southern oceans also affect the monsoons. In certain years, there is a reversal in the pressure conditions. This periodic change in pressure conditions is known as the Southern Oscillation, or SO.<\/p>\n<p>The Southern Oscillation is connected to la nina, which is a warm ocean current that flows past the Peruvian Coast. It flows every two to five years in place of the cold Peruvian current. The phenomenon is, referred to as ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillations). In India, the monsoon lasts for 100 to 120 days from early June and to mid-September. The monsoon winds encounter various atmospheric conditions on their way and hence are pulsating in nature, and not steady.<\/p>\n<p>The monsoon arrives with a sudden downpour of rainfall that continues for several days. This is known as the \u2018burst\u2019 of the monsoon.<\/p>\n<p>The rainfall is a result of the convergence of wind flow from the <a title=\"Bay of Bengal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bay_of_Bengal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bay of Bengal<\/a> and reverse winds from the <a title=\"South China Sea\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/South_China_Sea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">South China Sea<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-:1_14-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>The <a class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/onset\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">onset<\/a> of the monsoon occurs over the <a title=\"Bay of Bengal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bay_of_Bengal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bay of Bengal<\/a> in May, arriving at the <a title=\"Indian subcontinent\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_subcontinent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Peninsula<\/a> by June, and then the winds move towards the <a title=\"South China Sea\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/South_China_Sea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">South China Sea<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-:1_14-2\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> By early September, the monsoon starts to withdraw or retreat and is a more gradual process. By mid-October, it withdraws completely from the northern half of the peninsula. The withdrawal takes place progressively from north to south from the first week of December to the first week of January. This is the start of the winter season.<\/p>\n<p>The retreating monsoon winds move over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal and collect moisture on the way. These monsoon winds reach the southern states of India by October and are responsible for a second round of rainfall. These are called the winter monsoons. The winter monsoon is experienced in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh in the first week of January. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Effect_of_geographical_relief_features\" class=\"mw-headline\">Effect of geographical relief features<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although the southwest and northeast monsoon winds are seasonally reversible, they do not cause precipitation on their own.<\/p>\n<div class=\"hatnote navigation-not-searchable\" role=\"note\">Main article: <a title=\"Rain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rain#Formation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rain \u00a7\u00a0Formation<\/a><\/div>\n<p>Two factors are essential for <a title=\"Rain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rain#Formation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rain formation<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a title=\"Rain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rain#Water-saturated_air\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Moisture-laden winds<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Rain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rain#Coalescence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Droplet formation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Additionally, one of the <a title=\"Rain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rain#Causes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">causes of rain<\/a> must happen. In the case of the monsoon, the cause is primarily <a title=\"Rain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rain#Orographic_effects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">orographic<\/a>, due to the presence of highlands in the path of the winds. Orographic barriers force wind to rise. Precipitation then occurs on the windward side of the highlands because of <a title=\"Adiabatic process\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Adiabatic_process#Adiabatic_heating_and_cooling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adiabatic cooling<\/a> and condensation of the moist rising air. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/p>\n<div class=\"hatnote navigation-not-searchable\" role=\"note\">Main article: <a title=\"Orographic lift\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Orographic_lift\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Orographic lift<\/a><\/div>\n<p>The unique <a title=\"Geography of India\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Geography_of_India\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">geographic relief<\/a> features of the Indian subcontinent come into play in allowing all of the above factors to occur simultaneously. The relevant features in explaining the monsoon mechanism are as follows:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The presence of abundant water bodies around the subcontinent: the <a title=\"Arabian Sea\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Arabian_Sea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arabian Sea<\/a>, <a title=\"Bay of Bengal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bay_of_Bengal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bay of Bengal<\/a>, and <a title=\"Indian Ocean\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_Ocean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Ocean<\/a>. These help moisture accumulate in the winds during the hot season.<\/li>\n<li>The presence of abundant highlands like the <a title=\"Western Ghats\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Western_Ghats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Western Ghats<\/a> and the <a title=\"Himalayas\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Himalayas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Himalayas<\/a> right across the path of the southwest monsoon winds. These are the main cause of the substantial <a title=\"Orographic lift\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Orographic_lift#Precipitation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">orographic precipitation<\/a> throughout the subcontinent.<sup id=\"cite_ref-15\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup>\n<ol>\n<li>The Western Ghats are the first highlands of India that the southwest monsoon winds encounter.The Western Ghats rise abruptly from the <a title=\"Western Coastal Plains\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Western_Coastal_Plains\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Western Coastal Plains<\/a> of the subcontinent, making effective orographic barriers for the monsoon winds.<\/li>\n<li>The Himalayas play more than the role of orographic barriers for the monsoon. They also help confine it to the subcontinent. Without them, the southwest monsoon winds would blow right over the Indian subcontinent into <a title=\"Tibet\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tibet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tibet<\/a>, <a title=\"Afghanistan\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Afghanistan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Afghanistan<\/a>, and <a title=\"Russia\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Russia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Russia<\/a> without causing any rain.<sup id=\"cite_ref-17\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/li>\n<li>For the northeast monsoon, the highlands of the <a title=\"Eastern Ghats\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Eastern_Ghats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Eastern Ghats<\/a> play the role of orographic barrier.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span id=\"Features_of_monsoon_rains\" class=\"mw-headline\">Features of monsoon rains<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"&quot;Bursting&quot;\" class=\"mw-headline\"><i>&#8220;Bursting&#8221;<\/i><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Mumbai_india_monsoon_clouds.jpg\/220px-Mumbai_india_monsoon_clouds.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Mumbai_india_monsoon_clouds.jpg\/330px-Mumbai_india_monsoon_clouds.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Mumbai_india_monsoon_clouds.jpg\/440px-Mumbai_india_monsoon_clouds.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"165\" data-file-width=\"572\" data-file-height=\"428\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><i>Bursting of monsoon<\/i> refers to the sudden change in weather conditions in India (typically from hot and dry weather to wet and humid weather during the southwest monsoon), characterized by an abrupt rise in the mean daily rainfall. Similarly, the burst of the northeast monsoon refers to an abrupt increase in the mean daily rainfall over the affected regions. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<sup id=\"cite_ref-Wang2006_20-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Rain_variability_.28.22vagaries.22.29\"><\/span><span id=\"Rain_variability_(&quot;vagaries&quot;)\" class=\"mw-headline\">Rain variability (<i>&#8220;vagaries&#8221;<\/i>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of the most commonly used words to describe the erratic nature of the monsoon is &#8220;vagaries,&#8221; used in newspapers, magazines, books, <a title=\"Web portal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Web_portal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">web portals<\/a> to <a title=\"Insurance\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">insurance<\/a> plans, and India&#8217;s budget discussions.<sup id=\"cite_ref-MI1_26-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> In some years, it rains too much, causing floods in parts of India; in others, it rains too little or not at all, causing droughts. In some years, the rain quantity is sufficient but its timing arbitrary. Sometimes, despite average annual rainfall, the daily distribution or geographic distribution of the rain is substantially skewed. In the recent past, rainfall variability in short time periods (about a week) were attributed to desert dust over the Arabian Sea and <a title=\"Western Asia\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Western_Asia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Western Asia<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Ideal_and_normal_monsoon_rains\" class=\"mw-headline\">Ideal and normal monsoon rains<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/a7\/India_annual_rainfall_map_en.svg\/200px-India_annual_rainfall_map_en.svg.png\" alt=\"Monsoon Definition Indian Geography\" width=\"200\" height=\"226\" data-file-width=\"1639\" data-file-height=\"1852\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Normally, the southwest monsoon can be expected to &#8220;burst&#8221; onto the western coast of India (near <a title=\"Thiruvananthapuram\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Thiruvananthapuram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thiruvananthapuram<\/a>) at the beginning of June and to cover the entire country by mid-July. Its withdrawal from India typically starts at the beginning of September and finishes by the beginning of October.<sup id=\"cite_ref-IMDwithjpg_31-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>The northeast monsoon usually &#8220;bursts&#8221; around 20 October and lasts for about 50 days before withdrawing. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<sup id=\"cite_ref-Wang2006_20-1\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>However, a rainy monsoon is not necessarily a normal monsoon \u2014 that is, one that performs close to <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Statistical average\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Statistical_average\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statistical averages<\/a> calculated over a long period. A normal monsoon is generally accepted to be one involving close to the <i>average quantity<\/i> of precipitation over all the geographical locations under its influence (<i>mean spatial distribution<\/i>) and over the entire expected time period (<i>mean temporal distribution<\/i>). Additionally, the <i>arrival date<\/i> and the <i>departure date<\/i> of both the southwest and northeast monsoon should be close to the mean dates. The exact criteria for a normal monsoon are defined by the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Indian Meteorological Department\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_Meteorological_Department\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Meteorological Department<\/a> with calculations for the mean and standard deviation of each of these variables.<sup id=\"cite_ref-IMDavgMonsoon_32-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><br \/>\nA monsoon with excess rain can cause floods, and one with too little rain can lead to widespread drought, <a title=\"Famine\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Famine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">famine<\/a>, and economic losses. Therefore, a normal monsoon with mean performance is the most desirable monsoon. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Theories_for_mechanism_of_monsoon\" class=\"mw-headline\">Theories for mechanism of monsoon<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"Traditional_theory\" class=\"mw-headline\">Traditional theory<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"hatnote navigation-not-searchable\" role=\"note\">Main article: <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sea_breeze\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sea breeze<\/a><\/div>\n<p>Because of differences in the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Specific heat capacity\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Specific_heat_capacity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">specific heat capacity<\/a> of land and water, <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Continents\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Continents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">continents<\/a> heat up faster than <a title=\"Sea\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">seas<\/a>. Consequently, the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Air\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Air\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">air<\/a> above <a title=\"Coast\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Coast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">coastal<\/a> lands heats up faster than the air above seas. These create areas of low air pressure above coastal lands compared with pressure over the seas, causing winds to flow from the seas onto the neighboring lands. This is known as <a title=\"Sea breeze\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sea_breeze\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sea breeze<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Diagrama_de_formacion_de_la_brisa-breeze.svg\/200px-Diagrama_de_formacion_de_la_brisa-breeze.svg.png\" alt=\"Monsoon Definition Indian Geography\" width=\"200\" height=\"219\" data-file-width=\"689\" data-file-height=\"755\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Also known as the <i>thermal theory<\/i> or the <i>differential heating of sea and land theory<\/i>, the traditional theory portrays the monsoon as a large-scale <a title=\"Sea breeze\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sea_breeze\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sea breeze<\/a>. It states that during the hot subtropical summers, the massive <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Landmass\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Landmass\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">landmass<\/a> of the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Indian Peninsula\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_Peninsula\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Peninsula<\/a> heats up at a different rate than the surrounding seas, resulting in a <a title=\"Pressure gradient\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pressure_gradient\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pressure gradient<\/a> from south to north. This causes the flow of moisture-laden winds from sea to land. On reaching land, these winds rise because of the geographical relief, cooling <a title=\"Adiabatic process\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Adiabatic_process#Adiabatic_heating_and_cooling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adiabatically<\/a> and leading to orographic rains. This is the <i>southwest monsoon<\/i>. The reverse happens during the winter, when the land is colder than the sea, establishing a pressure gradient from land to sea. This causes the winds to blow over the Indian subcontinent toward the <a title=\"Indian Ocean\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_Ocean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Ocean<\/a> in a northeasterly direction, causing the <i>northeast monsoon<\/i>. Because the southwest monsoon flows from sea to land, it carries more moisture, and therefore causes more rain, than the northeast monsoon. Only part of the northeast monsoon passing over the Bay of Bengal picks up moisture, causing rain in <a title=\"Andhra Pradesh\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Andhra_Pradesh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Andhra Pradesh<\/a> and <a title=\"Tamil Nadu\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tamil_Nadu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tamil Nadu<\/a> during the winter months.<\/p>\n<p>However, many meteorologists argue that the monsoon is not a local phenomenon as explained by the traditional theory, but a general weather phenomenon along the entire <a title=\"Tropics\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tropics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tropical zone<\/a> of <a title=\"Earth\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Earth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth<\/a>. This criticism does not deny the role of differential heating of sea and land in generating monsoon winds, but casts it as one of several factors rather than the only one. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Dynamic_theory\" class=\"mw-headline\">Dynamic theory<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Earth_Global_Circulation_-_en.svg\/300px-Earth_Global_Circulation_-_en.svg.png\" alt=\"Monsoon Definition Indian Geography\" width=\"300\" height=\"251\" data-file-width=\"1000\" data-file-height=\"835\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <a title=\"Prevailing winds\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Prevailing_winds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">prevailing winds<\/a> of the <a title=\"Atmospheric circulation\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Atmospheric_circulation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">atmospheric circulation<\/a> arise because of the difference in pressure at various <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Latitudes\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Latitudes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">latitudes<\/a> and act as means for distribution of <a title=\"Thermal energy\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Thermal_energy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">thermal energy<\/a> on the planet. This pressure difference is because of the differences in <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Solar insolation\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Solar_insolation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">solar insolation<\/a> received at different latitudes and the resulting uneven heating of the <a title=\"Planet\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Planet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">planet<\/a>. Alternating belts of high pressure and low pressure develop along the <a title=\"Equator\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Equator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">equator<\/a>, the two <a title=\"Tropics\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tropics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tropics<\/a>, the <a title=\"Arctic\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Arctic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arctic<\/a> and <a title=\"Antarctic\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Antarctic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Antarctic<\/a> circles, and the two <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Polar region\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Polar_region\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">polar regions<\/a>, giving rise to the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Trade wind\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Trade_wind\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trade winds<\/a>, the <a title=\"Westerlies\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Westerlies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">westerlies<\/a>, and the <a title=\"Polar easterlies\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Polar_easterlies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">polar easterlies<\/a>. However, geophysical factors like <a title=\"Earth&#039;s orbit\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Earth%27s_orbit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth&#8217;s orbit<\/a>, its rotation, and its <a title=\"Axial tilt\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Axial_tilt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">axial tilt<\/a> cause these belts to shift gradually north and south, following the <a title=\"Sun\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sun\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sun<\/a>&#8216;s seasonal shifts.<\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Process_of_monsoon_creation_2\" class=\"mw-headline\">Process of monsoon creation<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The <i>dynamic theory<\/i> explains the monsoon on the basis of the annual shifts in the position of global belts of pressure and winds. According to this theory, the monsoon is a result of the shift of the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Inter Tropical Convergence Zone\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Inter_Tropical_Convergence_Zone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inter Tropical Convergence Zone<\/a> (ITCZ) under the influence of the <a title=\"Solar equator\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Solar_equator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vertical sun<\/a>. Though the mean position of the ITCZ is taken as the equator, it shifts north and south with the migration of the vertical sun toward the Tropics of <a title=\"Tropic of Cancer\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tropic_of_Cancer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cancer<\/a> and <a title=\"Tropic of Capricorn\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tropic_of_Capricorn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Capricorn<\/a> during the <a title=\"Summer\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Summer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">summer<\/a> of the respective hemispheres (<a title=\"Northern Hemisphere\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Northern_Hemisphere\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Northern<\/a> and <a title=\"Southern Hemisphere\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Southern_Hemisphere\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Southern Hemisphere<\/a>). As such, during the northern summer (May and June), the ITCZ moves north, along with the vertical sun, toward the Tropic of Cancer. The ITCZ, as the zone of lowest pressure in the tropical region, is the target destination for the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Trade wind\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Trade_wind\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trade winds<\/a> of both hemispheres. Consequently, with the ITCZ at the Tropic of Cancer, the southeast trade winds of the Southern Hemisphere have to cross the equator to reach it. However, because of the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Coriolis effect\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Coriolis_effect\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Coriolis effect<\/a> (which causes winds in the Northern Hemisphere to turn right, whereas winds in the Southern Hemisphere turn left), these southeast trade winds are deflected east in the <a title=\"Northern Hemisphere\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Northern_Hemisphere\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Northern Hemisphere<\/a>, transforming into southwest trades. These pick up moisture while traveling from sea to land and cause orographic rain once they hit the highlands of the Indian Peninsula. This results in the southwest monsoon.<\/p>\n<p>The dynamic theory explains the monsoon as a global weather phenomenon rather than just a local one. And when coupled with the traditional theory (based on the heating of sea and land), it enhances the explanation of the varying intensity of monsoon precipitation along the coastal regions with orographic barriers.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Jet_stream_theory\" class=\"mw-headline\">Jet stream theory<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Jetcrosssection.jpg\/300px-Jetcrosssection.jpg\" alt=\"Monsoon Definition Indian Geography\" width=\"300\" height=\"120\" data-file-width=\"600\" data-file-height=\"240\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This theory tries to explain the establishment of the northeast and southwest monsoons, as well as unique features like &#8220;bursting&#8221; and variability. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/p>\n<p>The jet streams are systems of upper-air westerlies. They give rise to slowly moving upper-air waves, with 250-<a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Knots\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Knots\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">knot<\/a> winds in some air streams. First observed by <a title=\"World War II\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/World_War_II\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World War II<\/a> pilots, they develop just below the <a title=\"Tropopause\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tropopause\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tropopause<\/a> over areas of steep pressure gradient on the surface. The main types are the <i>polar jets<\/i>, the <i>subtropical westerly jets<\/i>, and the less common <i>tropical easterly jets<\/i>. They follow the principle of <a title=\"Geostrophic wind\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Geostrophic_wind\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">geostrophic winds<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-35\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Process_of_monsoon_creation_3\" class=\"mw-headline\">Process of monsoon creation<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Over India, a subtropical westerly jet develops in the winter season and is replaced by the tropical easterly jet in the summer season. The high temperature during the summer over the <a title=\"Tibetan Plateau\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tibetan_Plateau\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tibetan Plateau<\/a>, as well as over <a title=\"Central Asia\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Central_Asia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Central Asia<\/a> in general, is believed to be the critical factor leading to the formation of the tropical easterly jet over India.<\/p>\n<p>The mechanism affecting the monsoon is that the westerly jet causes high pressure over northern parts of the subcontinent during the winter. This results in the north-to-south flow of the winds in the form of the northeast monsoon. With the northward shift of the vertical sun, this jet shifts north, too. The intense heat over the Tibetan Plateau, coupled with associated <a title=\"Terrain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Terrain\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">terrain<\/a> features like the high altitude of the plateau, generate the tropical easterly jet over central India. This jet creates a low-pressure zone over the <a title=\"Indo-Gangetic Plain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indo-Gangetic_Plain\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">northern Indian plains<\/a>, influencing the wind flow toward these plains and assisting the development of the southwest monsoon<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Tibet_Karte_Topograpisch.png\/250px-Tibet_Karte_Topograpisch.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Tibet_Karte_Topograpisch.png\/375px-Tibet_Karte_Topograpisch.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Tibet_Karte_Topograpisch.png\/500px-Tibet_Karte_Topograpisch.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"169\" data-file-width=\"1500\" data-file-height=\"1012\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Theories_for_monsoon_variability\" class=\"mw-headline\">Theories for monsoon variability<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"The_jet_stream_effect\" class=\"mw-headline\">The jet stream effect<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The jet stream theory also explains the variability in timing and strength of the monsoon.<\/p>\n<p><b>Timing:<\/b> A timely northward shift of the subtropical westerly jet at the beginning of summer is critical to the onset of the southwest monsoon over India. If the shift is delayed, so is the southwest monsoon. An early shift results in an early monsoon.<br \/>\n<b>Strength:<\/b> The strength of the southwest monsoon is determined by the strength of the easterly tropical jet over central India. A strong easterly tropical jet results in a strong southwest monsoon over central India, and a weak jet results in a weak monsoon. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"El_Ni\u00f1o-Southern_Oscillation_effect\" class=\"mw-headline\">El Ni\u00f1o-Southern Oscillation effect<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b7\/El_Nino_regional_impacts.png\/300px-El_Nino_regional_impacts.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b7\/El_Nino_regional_impacts.png\/450px-El_Nino_regional_impacts.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/b\/b7\/El_Nino_regional_impacts.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"333\" data-file-width=\"486\" data-file-height=\"539\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"El nino\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/El_nino\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>El Ni\u00f1o<\/i><\/a> is a warm ocean current originating along the coast of <a title=\"Peru\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Peru\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Peru<\/a> that replaces the usual cold <a title=\"Humboldt Current\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Humboldt_Current\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Humboldt Current<\/a>. The warm surface water moving toward the coast of Peru with El Ni\u00f1o is pushed west by the trade winds, thereby raising the temperature of the southern Pacific Ocean. The reverse condition is known as <a title=\"La Ni\u00f1a\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/La_Ni%C3%B1a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">La Ni\u00f1a<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><i>Southern Oscillation<\/i>, a phenomenon first observed by <a title=\"Gilbert Walker\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gilbert_Walker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sir Gilbert Thomas Walker<\/a>, director general of observatories in India, refers to the seesaw relationship of atmospheric pressures between <a title=\"Tahiti\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tahiti\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tahiti<\/a> and <a title=\"Darwin, Northern Territory\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Darwin,_Northern_Territory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Darwin<\/a>, Australia.<sup id=\"cite_ref-IODhindu_36-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> Walker noticed that when pressure was high in Tahiti, it was low in Darwin, and <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"List of Latin phrases: V\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Latin_phrases:_V#vice_versa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vice versa<\/a>. A <i>Southern Oscillation Index<\/i> (SOI), based on the pressure difference between Tahiti and Darwin, has been formulated by the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Bureau of Meteorology (Australia)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bureau_of_Meteorology_(Australia)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bureau of Meteorology (Australia)<\/a> to measure the strength of the oscillation. Walker noticed that the quantity of rainfall in the Indian subcontinent was often negligible in years of high pressure over Darwin (and low pressure over Tahiti). Conversely, low pressure over Darwin bodes well for precipitation quantity in India. Thus, Walker established the relationship between southern oscillation and quantities of monsoon rains in India.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, the southern oscillation was found to be simply an atmospheric component of the El Ni\u00f1o\/La Ni\u00f1a effect, which happens in the ocean. Therefore, in the context of the monsoon, the two together came to be known as the El Ni\u00f1o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) effect. The effect is known to have a pronounced influence on the strength of the southwest monsoon over India, with the monsoon being weak (causing droughts) during El Ni\u00f1o years, while La Ni\u00f1a years bring particularly strong monsoons.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Indian_Ocean_dipole_effect\" class=\"mw-headline\">Indian Ocean dipole effect<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although the ENSO effect was statistically effective in explaining several past droughts in India, in recent decades, its relationship with the Indian monsoon seemed to weaken.<sup id=\"cite_ref-38\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> For example, the strong ENSO of 1997 did not cause drought in India. However, it was later discovered that, just like ENSO in the Pacific Ocean, a similar seesaw ocean-atmosphere system in the <a title=\"Indian Ocean\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_Ocean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Ocean<\/a> was also in play. This system was discovered in 1999 and named the <a title=\"Indian Ocean Dipole\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_Ocean_Dipole\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Ocean Dipole<\/a> (IOD). An index to calculate it was also formulated. IOD develops in the equatorial region of the Indian Ocean from April to May and peaks in October. With a positive IOD, winds over the Indian Ocean blow from east to west. This makes the Arabian Sea (the western Indian Ocean near the African coast) much warmer and the eastern Indian Ocean around Indonesia colder and drier. In negative dipole years, the reverse happens, making Indonesia much warmer and rainier.<\/p>\n<p>A positive IOD index often negates the effect of ENSO, resulting in increased monsoon rains in years such as 1983, 1994, and 1997. Further, the two poles of the IOD \u2014 the eastern pole (around Indonesia) and the western pole (off the African coast) \u2014 independently and cumulatively affect the number of monsoon rains.<\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Equatorial_Indian_Ocean_oscillation\" class=\"mw-headline\">Equatorial Indian Ocean oscillation<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>As with ENSO, the atmospheric component of the IOD was later discovered and the cumulative phenomenon named <i>Equatorial Indian Ocean oscillation<\/i> (EQUINOO).<sup id=\"cite_ref-IODhindu_36-10\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> When EQUINOO effects are factored in, certain failed forecasts, like the acute drought of 2002, can be further accounted for. The relationship between extremes of the Indian summer monsoon rainfall, along with ENSO and EQUINOO, have been studied, and models to better predict the quantity of monsoon rains have been statistically derived. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Impact_of_climate_change_on_the_monsoon\" class=\"mw-headline\">Impact of climate change on the monsoon<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Since 1950s, the South Asian summer monsoon underwent a gradual decline, with a reduction of up to 10% over central India.<sup id=\"cite_ref-40\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> This is primarily due to a weakening monsoon circulation as a result of the rapid warming in the Indian Ocean, and changes in land use and land cover. Since the strength of the monsoon is partially dependent on the temperature difference between the ocean and the land, higher ocean temperatures in the Indian Ocean have weakened the moisture-bearing winds from the ocean to the land. The reduction in the summer monsoon rainfall has grave consequences over central India because at least 60% of the agriculture in this region is still largely <a title=\"Rainfed agriculture\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rainfed_agriculture\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rain-fed<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A recent assessment of the monsoonal changes indicates that the land warming has increased during 2002-2014, possibly reviving the strength of the monsoon circulation and rainfall<sup id=\"cite_ref-44\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup>. Future changes in the monsoon will depend on a competition between land and ocean\u2014on which is warming faster than the other.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, there has been a three-fold rise in widespread extreme rainfall events during the years 1950 to 2015, over the entire central belt of India, leading to a steady rise in the number of flash floods with significant socioeconomic losses<sup id=\"cite_ref-46\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Monsoon_of_South_Asia#cite_note-46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">]<\/a><\/sup>. Widespread extreme rainfall events are those rainfall events which are larger than 150 mm\/day and spread over a region large enough to cause floods.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Monsoon_rain_prediction_models\" class=\"mw-headline\">Monsoon rain prediction models<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"Seasonal_Prediction_of_Indian_Monsoon_(SPIM)\" class=\"mw-headline\">Seasonal Prediction of Indian Monsoon (SPIM)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The <a title=\"Centre for Development of Advanced Computing\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Centre_for_Development_of_Advanced_Computing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Centre for Development of Advanced Computing<\/a> (CDAC) at <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Bengaluru\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bengaluru\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bengaluru<\/a> facilitated the Seasonal Prediction of Indian Monsoon (SPIM) experiment on the <a title=\"PARAM\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PARAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PARAM<\/a> Padma supercomputing system.<sup id=\"cite_ref-CDADspim_49-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> This project involved simulated runs of historical data from 1985 to 2004 to try to establish the relationship of five <i>atmospheric general circulation models<\/i> with monsoon rainfall distribution.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Indian_Meteorological_Department_model\" class=\"mw-headline\">Indian Meteorological Department model<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The department has tried to forecast the monsoon for India since 1884 and is the only official agency entrusted with making public forecasts about the quantity, distribution, and timing of the monsoon rains. Its position as the sole authority on the monsoon was cemented in 2005 by the <a title=\"Department of Science and Technology (India)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Department_of_Science_and_Technology_(India)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Department of Science and Technology (DST)<\/a>, <a title=\"New Delhi\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_Delhi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Delhi<\/a>. In 2003, IMD substantially changed its forecast methodology, model, and administration. A sixteen-parameter monsoon forecasting model used since 1988 was replaced in 2003. However, following the 2009 drought in India (worst since 1972) The department decided in 2010 that it needed to develop an &#8220;indigenous model&#8221; to further improve its prediction capabilities.<\/p>\n<h2>What is the Monsoon?<\/h2>\n<p>The term <strong>monsoon<\/strong> originates from the Arabic word &#8216;mausim&#8217;, meaning season. It refers to a seasonal reversal of wind direction, resulting in a distinct wet and dry season. In South Asia, the <strong>monsoon<\/strong> is characterized by the southwest <strong>monsoon<\/strong>, which occurs from June to September, and the northeast <strong>monsoon<\/strong>, which happens from October to February. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/p>\n<h3>Southwest Monsoon<\/h3>\n<p>During the summer months, the southwest <strong>monsoon<\/strong> brings moisture-laden winds from the Indian Ocean towards the Indian subcontinent. These winds sweep across the Arabian Sea, picking up moisture and causing heavy rainfall across the region. The southwest <strong>monsoon<\/strong> is responsible for the majority of rainfall in South Asia, crucial for agriculture and water resources.<\/p>\n<h3>Northeast Monsoon<\/h3>\n<p>Following the southwest <strong>monsoon<\/strong>, the northeast <strong>monsoon<\/strong> occurs during the winter months. It brings dry air from the Himalayas towards the Indian Ocean, resulting in clear skies and cooler temperatures in South Asia. While the northeast <strong>monsoon<\/strong> brings less rainfall compared to its counterpart, it still contributes to the climate pattern of the region.<\/p>\n<h2>Influence on Indian Geography<\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>monsoon<\/strong> plays a pivotal role in shaping the geography of India and neighboring countries. Here&#8217;s how:<\/p>\n<h3>Agriculture<\/h3>\n<p>The <strong>monsoon<\/strong> is the lifeline of agriculture in South Asia. The rainfall brought by the southwest <strong>monsoon<\/strong> is essential for the growth of crops, especially rice, wheat, and sugarcane. Farmers rely on the timing and intensity of the <strong>monsoon<\/strong> for successful harvests, making it a critical factor in India&#8217;s agricultural economy.<\/p>\n<h3>Rivers and Water Resources<\/h3>\n<p>The heavy rainfall during the <strong>monsoon<\/strong> season replenishes rivers and reservoirs, sustaining water resources throughout the year. Major rivers like the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus receive significant inflow during the <strong>monsoon<\/strong>, contributing to irrigation, hydroelectric power, and drinking water supply for millions of people. Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/p>\n<h3>Climate Diversity- Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/h3>\n<p>The <strong>monsoon<\/strong> influences the diverse climate zones found in India. From the humid tropical climate of the Western Ghats to the arid deserts of Rajasthan, the <strong>monsoon<\/strong> creates a wide range of climatic conditions across the country. This diversity in climate supports various ecosystems, flora, and fauna, making India one of the world&#8217;s biodiversity hotspots.<\/p>\n<h3>Erosion and Landforms- Monsoon Definition Indian Geography<\/h3>\n<p>The intense rainfall during the <strong>monsoon<\/strong> season leads to soil erosion and the formation of distinctive landforms. Rivers carve deep valleys and gorges, while coastal areas experience sediment deposition and erosion. The Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas are examples of mountain ranges shaped by the forces of the <strong>monsoon<\/strong> over millions of <a href=\"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/upsc-ias-syllabus-common-mistakes-aspirants-should-avoid\/\">years<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"LinkSuggestion__Link-sc-1gewdgc-4 cLBplk\" href=\"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/pre-monsoon-season-indian-climate-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pre Monsoon Season Indian Climate UPSC<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"LinkSuggestion__Link-sc-1gewdgc-4 cLBplk\" href=\"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/climate-of-india-geography-for-upsc-ias-most-important\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate of India Geography For UPSC IAS Most Important<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"LinkSuggestion__Link-sc-1gewdgc-4 cLBplk\" href=\"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/indian-monsoon-factors-theories\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Monsoon Factors &amp; Theories<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"LinkSuggestion__Link-sc-1gewdgc-4 cLBplk\" href=\"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/climate-of-india-for-upsc-ias-2022-a-topic-of-indian-geography-g-k\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate of India For UPSC IAS 2022.A Topic of Indian Geography &amp; G.K<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"LinkSuggestion__Link-sc-1gewdgc-4 cLBplk\" href=\"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/winter-season-the-climate-of-india-geography-for-upsc-ias-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Winter Season<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"LinkSuggestion__Link-sc-1gewdgc-4 cLBplk\" href=\"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/climate-of-india-geography-for-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate of India Geography For UPSC IAS Most Important<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/knowledgekart.in_upsc-syllabus-for-prelims-mains-exam-activity-7218863154749956096-ecpX\">Linkedin<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Monsoon of South Asia Climate and Indian Geography Most Important Topic For UPSC, SSC, PCS, &amp; Other Competative Exams The monsoon of South Asia is among several geographically distributed global&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6558,"featured_media":614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61,55,53,57,54],"tags":[420,76,421,419,73,418,74,417,72],"class_list":["post-612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-indian-geography","category-g-k","category-ias","category-uppsc","category-upsc","tag-asia","tag-civil-service","tag-climate-change","tag-geography","tag-ias","tag-indian-geography","tag-ips","tag-monsoon","tag-upsc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6558"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=612"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/612\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81145,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/612\/revisions\/81145"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/knowledgekart.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}