Climate of India
Climate of India
India, a country located in the South Asian region, is characterized by a diverse climate, ranging from tropical in the south to temperate and alpine in the Himalayan north. The country's climate is primarily influenced by the Thar Desert and the Himalayan range.
Geographical Influences
India's climate is shaped by its unique geographical features. The Thar Desert in the west and the Himalayan range in the north play crucial roles in determining the country's climate. The Thar Desert attracts the southwest monsoon winds, bringing the majority of India's rainfall. The Himalayas, on the other hand, prevent cold Central Asian katabatic winds from reaching the subcontinent, resulting in milder winters than would be expected at such a high latitude.
Climatic Regions
India can be divided into several climatic regions, each with distinct characteristics.
Tropical Rainforest
The tropical rainforest climate, also known as the equatorial climate, is found in the southwestern parts of India, particularly the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa. This region experiences high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year.
Tropical Savanna
The tropical savanna climate is found in the interior parts of the peninsula, including parts of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. This region experiences high temperatures throughout the year, with a distinct dry season.
Desert
The desert climate is found in the western part of India, particularly in the state of Rajasthan. This region experiences extremely high temperatures in the summer and cool temperatures in the winter, with very little rainfall throughout the year.
Mountain Climate
The mountain climate is found in the northern parts of India, particularly in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. This region experiences cool to cold temperatures throughout the year, with heavy snowfall in the winter.
Monsoons
The monsoon is a major climatic feature of India. The country experiences two monsoons: the southwest monsoon and the northeast monsoon. The southwest monsoon, which occurs from June to September, brings the majority of the country's rainfall. The northeast monsoon, which occurs from October to November, brings rainfall to the southeastern coast of India.
Climate Change
Climate change poses a significant threat to India's climate. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are some of the impacts of climate change in the country. These changes have implications for agriculture, water resources, and human health in India.