Page 141 - SST Class 06

very hot due to hot wind called loo and production depends on it. Timely arrival of the
Mawsynram in Meghalaya experiences heavy
rains due to the monsoon winds rising from the
Bay of Bengal.
Just Think!
What is the impact of climate on plant life?
CYCLE OF SEASONS
The four chief seasons in India are :
1. Cold or winter season : December to February
2. Hot or summer season : March to May
3. South-west monsoon or rainy season : June to
September
4. Season of retreating monsoon : October to
November
Info Bits
Info Bits
The word monsoon is derived from the Arabic word
‘mausim’ which means ‘season’.
We shall study these seasons in a little detail.
Winter
The sunrays do not fall directly in this region, due
to which the temperature is low in North India,
while it remains somewhat warm in South India.
The winds blow from north to south. When these
winds blow over the Bay of Bengal, they are
moistened and bring rain to the coastal areas of
Tamil Nadu.
Summer
The sunrays fall directly in this region, due to
which the temperature is high. Hot and dry winds,
called loo, blow over North India. The pre-
monsoon winds blow from the Arabian Sea,
which cause rain in Kerala and western coastal
areas. These rains are called mango showers as
they ripen the mango crop.
Season of South-West Monsoon
Also called the rainy season, this season is very
important as more than three-fourth of rain in
India is caused in this season. The crop
monsoon is very essential. Early arrival of
monsoon results in floods, while late arrival
results in droughts, while the timely arrival of
monsoon is very beneficial for crops. This is the
reason that we can often hear people and
newspapers talk about monsoons.
The monsoon winds rise in the Indian Ocean and
are divided into two branches. The monsoon
winds rising from the Arabian Sea bring rain to the
western coastal areas and move further to the
north. Rain from this branch reduces from south to
north.
The monsoon winds rising from the Bay of Bengal
strike the Bengal coast and move towards
Meghalaya, where they are deflected towards the
north due to high Himalayas. Rain from this
branch reduces from east to north.
Season of Retreating Monsoon
After the monsoon winds have exhausted
themselves of water, they tend to move from the
mainland to the sea. The winds are less humid,
the climate changes from hot to dry cold season.
This season is called the season of retreating
monsoon. South India experiences rainfall during
this season. As these winds pass from north-
western India towards the Bay of Bengal, cyclones
are caused in Bengal and Odisha.
Quiz Time
Fill in the blanks :
1. The winds blow from ___________ to south.
2. The interior and central parts experience a
___________ type of climate.
3. The southern half lies in the ___________ zone.
4. Meghalaya receives heavy ___________ .
5. The pre-monsoon winds blow from the
___________ Sea.
6. Hot and dry winds, called loo, blow over
___________ during summer.
F ind Outind Out
Why is monsoon considered both blessing and a
curse?
India : Climate
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