Causes of the Indian monsoon and importance of Himalayas in winter climate

IAS Mains General Studies Sample Answers

Explain the causes of the Indian Monsoon


Monsoon means seasonal reversal winds. Monsoon brings rainfall due to moisturised winds passing over water bodies. Indian climate is characterized by seasonal meteorological circumstances. It is a system of onshore and off shore winds. Indian Monsoon is the seasonal phenomenon caused by the differences of temperature and pressure over water bodies and landmass. The rain giving winds are blown from the South-west direction, kown as the Summer Monsoon.

The winter monsoon comes from North-west direction blowing towards North-East. El-nino is another important factor which influences the mechanism of Indian Monsoon. Apart from these ITCZ movement, upper atmosphere conditions, local specific conditions, tropical depressions etc. also affect the Indian Monsoon.

Had there been no Himalayas, what would have been the winter climate in north India?


The Himalayan range stretches across northern Indian from J&K to Arunchal Pradesh for about 2500 km in East-west direction making a natural wall between Central Asia and Indian Sub-continent. The Himalayas is no doubt are the single most factor in controlling the climate of India. The cold polar air blowing Southwards from Central Asia are blocked from entering India by Himalayas, keeping India 3°-8° C warmer than the regions of similar cold latitudes in Asia.

The Himalayas are responsible for making the entire country tropical even though only half of India lies under tropics. Himalayas bifurcates the streams into two branches, of which southern branch enters North India and gives much needed winter rainfall over the North-west region. Thus, had there been no Himalaya the winter climate in North India would have been very cold and dry and there were no rainfall in winter.

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