Amonsoonis a seasonal shift in the prevailing wind direction, that usually brings with it a different kind of weather. It almost always refers to the Asianmonsoon, a large region extending from India to Southeast Asia wheremonsoonconditions prevail

Characteristics

1. The climate of India is described asthe 'monsoon' type. Monsoon refers to the seasonal reversal in the winddirection during the year.

2. The duration of monsoon is between100-120 days from early June to mid September.

3. Around the time of its arrival, thenormal rainfall increases suddenly and continues constantly for several days.This is known as 'burst' of the monsoon.

4. The monsoon has a tendency to have'breaks' that means it has wet and dry spells. Monsoon rains take place onlyfor a few days at a time.

5. The monsoon is known for itsuncertainties.

Effects of the Monsoon

1. India has been an agriculturalcountry with more than 50% of its population dependent on agriculture.Alarge part of the country's agriculture is mainly dependent upon the monsoonrains.

2. There is greatvariation in the rainfall received by the different parts of the country,somewhere it leads to floods and its absence in other parts leads to droughtlike conditions.

3. The Indian landscape, its animal and plant life, the entire agricultural calendar and the life of the people, including their festivities are associated with the monsoon