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The SW or the summer monsoon
is the single most noteworthy feature of the Indian climate. This monsoon
starts from the equatorial belt and hits the Indian subcontinent in two
distinct currents. These are known as the Bay of Bengal branch that sets in the North-eastern part of the
country and the Arabian Sea branch that hits at the southern part of the
peninsula. The first branch moves westwards, and the second northwards, and
they together cover the whole country. Andaman & Nicobar
Islands receive rains from the Bay of Bengal branch which normally sets in by 20th May. Monsoon reaches Kerala by June 1 and advances along the Konkan
coast in early June. Normally, monsoon sets over the entire country by the
middle of July. During the monsoon season, sky is generally cloudy and there
are frequent spells of intense rainfall. Figure 1.5 shows the dates on onset of
monsoon over the country. |