of the month of Baisakh . These showers are useful for tea, jute and rice cultivation. In Assam, these storms are known as “Bardoli Chheerha” . (iv) Loo : Hot, dry and oppressing winds blowing in the Northern plains from Punjab to Bihar with higher intensity between Delhi and Patna.
T HE S OUTHWEST M ONSOON S EASON As a result of rapid increase of temperature in May over the northwestern plains, the low pressure conditions over there get further intensified. By early June, they are powerful enough to attract the trade winds of Southern Hemisphere coming from the Indian Ocean. These southeast trade winds cross the equator and enter the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, only to be caught up in the air circulation over India. Passing over the equatorial warm currents, they bring with them moisture in abundance.
After crossing the equator, they follow a southwesterly direction. That is why they are known as southwest monsoons. The rain in the southwest monsoon season begins rather abruptly. One result of the first rain is that it brings down the temperature substantially.
This sudden onset of the moisture-laden winds associated with violent thunder and lightening, is often termed as the “break” or “burst” of the Figure . : India : Pressure and Surface Winds (July) monsoons. The monsoon may burst in the first week of June in the coastal areas of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra while in the interior parts of the country, it may be delayed to the first week of July. The day temperature registers a decline of °C to °C between mid- June and mid-July.
As these winds approach the land, their southwesterly direction is modified by the relief and thermal low pressure over the northwest India. The monsoon approaches the landmass in two branches: (i) The Arabian Sea branch (ii) The Bay of Bengal branch. Monsoon Winds of the Arabian Sea The monsoon winds originating over the Arabian Sea further split into three branches: Its one branch is obstructed by the Western Ghats. These winds climb the slopes of the Western