Monsoon

Monsoon is the season of rain in the Southern Asia.

This word is of Arabic origin, “mausim”, which means “season” in English.

Monsoon rains are caused by South-Western winds. Monsoon winds blow from the Arabian Sea towards the Indian subcontinent.

Winds occur when air moves from regions having higher pressure to regions having lower pressure. This heats up the subcontinental landmass in the months of April and May. Hence the pressure above this landmass decreases. So the air now flows to this low pressure region.

The rains begin in late May or early June, while it ends with the start of north-eastern trade winds, around October to December.

There is a sudden precipitation, and this often starts in a “burst” in this season.

Kerala is the first Indian state to be hit by the monsoon rains, as the moisture-laden winds hit the Western Ghats.

See a diagram here