Question

Define monsoons. What do you understand by “break” in monsoon?

Answer 1

In a year, the seasonal reversal of wind direction is referred to by the word Monsoon. Season is the meaning of the Arabic word ‘Mausim’. The word Monsoon comes from the word Mausim.

• The monsoon is known for its uncertainties.
• Monsoon has a tendency and phenomenon to have ‘breaks’ in rainfall.
• Thus monsoon has dry and wet spells.
• Rainless intervals intersperse the Monsoon.
• The alternation of wet and dry spells vary in duration, frequency, and intensity.
• The movement of the monsoon trough influences the ‘breaks’ in monsoon.
• Spatial distribution of rainfall is determined by the southward or northward movement of the trough and its axis, which happens due to diverse reasons.
• When the axis of the trough is closer to the Himalayas, there are good rains in the Himalayas and Northern plains will experience dry spells.
• Rainfall is good in Northern plains when the axis of the trough is over the plains.
• Heavy rains in the catchment areas of the Himalayan rivers bring in floods and devastation of property and life.