2.2   Monsoon · Part 3

by 15th July. The monsoon is influenced by global phenomenon like ElNino . Climate and Natural Vegetation of India Prior to the onset of the southwest monsoon, the temperature in North India reaches up to °C. The sudden approach of monsoon wind over South India with lightning and thunder is termed as the ‘ break ’ or ‘ burst of monsoon ’. The monsoon wind strikes against the southern tip of Indian land mass and gets divided into two branches. One branch starts from Arabian Sea and the other from Bay of Bengal. The Arabian Sea branch of southwest monsoon gives heavy rainfall to the west coast of India as it is located in the windward side of the Western Ghats. The other part which advances towards north is obstructed by Himalayan Mountains and results in heavy rainfall in north. As, Aravalli Mountain is located parallel to the wind direction, Rajasthan and western part do not get much rainfall from this branch. The Bay of Bengal branch moves towards Northeast India and Myanmar. This wind is trapped by a chain of mountains namely Garo, Khasi and Jaintia, which are mainly responsible for the heaviest rainfall caused at Mawsynram located in Meghalaya. Later on, this wind travel towards west which results in decrease in rainfall from east to west. Over all about % of Indian rainfall is received from this monsoon . . Northeast Monsoon Season The southwest monsoon begins to retreat from north India by the end of September due to the southward shifting pressure belts. The southwest monsoon wind returns from Indian landmass and blows towards Bay of Bengal. The coriolis force deflects this wind and makes it to blow from northeast. Hence, it is known as northeast monsoon or post-monsoon season. The season is associated with the establishment of the north-easterly wind system over the Indian subcontinent. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and south interior Karnataka receive good amount of rainfall accounting for % of their annual total. Many parts of Tamil Nadu and some parts of