India - Seasons

Two branches

The South-West monsoon winds separate into two branches: the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch. The Arabian Sea branch brings rainfall to the western coast and is obstructed by the Western Ghats. The Bay of Bengal branch brings rain to Myanmar, Bangladesh, North-East India, the Himalayan foothills, and the North Indian plains.

Rain-shadow regions

The eastern regions of the Western Ghats are called rain-shadow regions. This happens because the monsoon winds are obstructed by the Western Ghats, causing maximum rainfall on the western side. As these winds proceed eastward, they get depleted of moisture and bring less rain to the eastern areas, creating a rain-shadow effect.

Retreating monsoon season

Tropical cyclones frequently occur in the Bay of Bengal during the retreating monsoon season (October to November). This happens due to differences in temperature and pressure between land and sea. These cyclones cause widespread damage along their path, particularly along the coastal areas.

118 cms

India's average annual rainfall is 118 cms. However, there are significant variations across different regions. Some areas receive less than 50 cms (deficit rainfall), others receive 50-250 cms (moderate rainfall), and some areas receive more than 250 cms (surplus rainfall). This variation is due to geographical factors and monsoon patterns.