The term monsoon has been derived from the Arabic word “mausim”. It denotes seasonal reversal in the wind direction. Monsoons, or the rainy season, are eagerly awaited in India for several reasons. Monsoon in India is the mainstay of our agrarian economy, farmers are primarily dependent on rainfall for their crops. But it’s just not about the need, it is also a want.
Are you familiar with the term “Petrichor”? It is the damp smell of wet earth. A fresh pleasant smell that is accompanied by the first rains after a long spell of scorching summer heat. For foreign tourists who may be wondering ‘when is monsoon season in India?’ it would do them good to know that monsoon in India occurs between the months of June to September. We have four distinct seasons of almost equal duration in India. Thus, the climate of India has something for everyone. These are days where you just want to enjoy a steaming cup of tea with pakodas or stay indoors and enjoy a nice nap. Here are 10 Interesting Facts about the Monsoon in India. Come join us if you are a monsoon enthusiast.
1. It’s Raining Cats & Dogs
Monsoon in India is very sporadic. Sometimes, it might be a light shower, sometimes just a drizzle. Such quirks also add to the dynamism of India weather. These short light showers end up adding to the humidity manifold. And then sometimes it rains cats and dogs in torrential amounts. Always keep track of the weather forecast before travelling long distances, or for that matter going shopping. You don’t want to be glued to a spot trying to take shelter from the rain for a very long time.
2. A Guest Without Prior Notice
The nature of monsoon in India cannot always be predicted correctly, even on a daily basis. One moment the sky could be crystal clear with the sun shining as bright as possible and the next moment the sky could be overcast with clouds. Sudden cloud buildups are very frequent. This happens especially in the hills. The Darjeeling weather is especially known to be like this. So always be prepared with an umbrella to save yourself from the rain when you are outside during the monsoon season.
3. Arrival Of Monsoon in India: Brings Good Tidings
Technically, there is barely any time for the spring season in India to win our hearts before summer sets in. The months from March-May are extremely hot and in certain places, very very humid. In North-India, loo drains out the life from people and animals alike. People in various places suffer from acute water crises, not overlooking the depletion of underground water in many parts of India. At this point, the arrival of the monsoon in June brings relief to every individual, irrespective of whether they like the rains or not. Everyone is glued to the television checking out the satellite image of monsoon in India, so they can figure the wait for the rains to arrive. The Arabian Sea feeds the south west monsoon in India, whereas the Bay of Bengal feeds the Eastern part of the country.
People in Kerala usually get to experience the first monsoon rains.
4. Greeting Thunderstorms
Many states have different regional terms to greet thunderstorms in the monsoon season. Yes, it is much awaited and holds a significant place in the hearts of people. These Nor‘wester thunderstorms are known as Kal Baisakhi in West Bengal, Bordoi Chheerha in Assam, Cherry Blossom in Karnataka & Kerala and Mango Shower in Southern India in general.
But as awaited as they are for many reasons, these Nor’westers are also responsible for a lot of damage to property and life. They bring floods with thunderstorms. So be careful what you wish for!
5. The Grass Is Always Greener
Farmers in India are the ones who wait most eagerly for monsoons. For them, it is not just a season but also the means of their livelihood. Many poor farmers in India do not have proper irrigation facilities to water their crops. Mainly being an agrarian economy, the number of farmers relying on rainfall is huge. So, it is the most awaited among all the seasons in India. The arrival of monsoon marks the onset of agricultural activities.
6. It’s Time For Celebrations
“Unity in Diversity” is India’s identity. It is a land of many cultures, traditions, and festivals. Many festivals in India are celebrated with pomp and joy during the monsoon season or during the month of Sravan. Raksha Bandhan, Teej, Onam, and Nag Panchami are a few famous festivals celebrated in India during monsoon months.
7. A Good Guest
Monsoons do not visit without bringing gifts for the hosts. Many spots in India, especially in the states of Kerala, Maharashtra, North-East India, and West Bengal are enhanced in natural beauty with the onset of monsoons. Be it dried-up lakes or dormant waterfalls, monsoons help these scenic spots to achieve their full potential to captivate people with their mesmerizing beauty in their glorious moments.
8. A Guest With Preferences
Places in India do not receive an equal amount of rainfall throughout the country. Jaisalmer, the well-known desert in Rajasthan receives rainfall below 150mm while Mawsynram in Meghalaya experiences torrential rainfall, about 11,873 mm. However, this is owing to the different geographical locations and topography of these places. The monsoons do play a biased game to an extent that way.
9. The Wrath Of Monsoon in India
Monsoon in India is a very sought-after season but it also has its own disadvantages. Nobody can calm down the wrath of the monsoon. Low lying areas get flooded to the point where functioning becomes difficult. Mainly states in the North-Eastern part of India have to struggle and experience heavy flooding every year leading to heavy loss of lives and property.
10. All That Glitters
Monsoon creates a great atmosphere altogether. The blades of grass or leaves of trees glitter like diamonds. But that is not all that glitters during the monsoon. This is also the peak time to buy gold in India, the world’s top consumer of this luxury metal. It helps boost the purchase of gold owing to the high crop output that leads to a rise in farm income.
Ask a monsoon enthusiast about the monsoons, they will never run out of things to say. But we’ve assembled the 10 most interesting facts to know all about the monsoons in India. We hope you will have enjoyed reading about them. We welcome our readers to share their monsoon experiences with us.
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