Discovering India's Monsoon 10 Intriguing Facts You Should Know
The Indian monsoon is one of the world's most powerful seasonal weather patterns, bringing both drenching rains and floods as well as long periods of dryness. But how much do you actually know about this incredible natural phenomenon? Read on to learn ten fascinating facts about the Indian monsoon!
Ten Surprising Facts About the Indian Monsoon
Fact 1: The Indian Monsoon Affects Half the World's Population
The Indian monsoon is one of the most important weather phenomena in the world. It affects not just India but also other countries in the region, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The monsoon is responsible for bringing much-needed rain to the region during the summer months. Surprisingly, the monsoon affects half of the world's population. That's around 3 billion people who are impacted by this weather phenomenon! The monsoon is vital for agriculture in the region, and it also helps to cool temperatures during the hot summer months.
Fact 2: The Monsoon Season Can Cause Earthquakes
The monsoon season in India is a time of intense rainfall and often severe weather. This heavy rain can lead to flooding and landslides, but it can also trigger earthquakes. The rainfall puts additional strain on the already-weak rock, causing it to give way and trigger an earthquake. This was the case in 2005, when a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit the city of Hyderabad during the monsoon season. The earthquake killed more than 500 people and injured more than 5,000. In 2017, another earthquake struck the state of Gujarat during the monsoon season, killing at least 12 people. These examples show how the monsoon season can be a dangerous time for areas that are prone to earthquakes. If you live in an area that is at risk for quakes, be sure to take precautions and be prepared for possible shaking during the rainy season.
Fact 3: The Monsoon Can Carry Microbes from the Ocean to the Mountains
While the rain is a welcome relief from the heat, it can also bring with it some unwelcome guests: microbes from the ocean that are carried to the mountains by the monsoon winds. These microbes can cause respiratory infections and waterborne diseases, which can be dangerous for people living in remote mountain villages who don't have access to medical care. In addition to causing sickness, these microbes can also degrade water quality and damage crops. Though it's inevitable, it is possible to minimise the risk of sickness and crop damage. These include ensuring that people have access to clean water and proper sanitation and educating them about hygiene and food safety.
Fact 4: The monsoon can create giant underground reservoirs.
Monsoon rains can create giant underground reservoirs, which can provide a crucial water source for drought-prone areas. When the monsoon hits, the rainwater seeps into the ground and recharges the aquifers. This stored water can then be tapped during dry periods. In India, monsoons are vital to agriculture. About 75% of the country’s farmland is dependent on rainfall, and the monsoon season is critical for crop growth. India’s farmers rely on the monsoon to replenish groundwater resources so they can irrigate their fields during the dry season. But they can also cause destructive floods. The monsoon typically lasts from June to September. During this time, heavy rains can lead to flash flooding and landslides. In some years, the monsoon has caused billions of dollars in damage.
Fact 5: The Monsoon Affects the Flavour of Tea
The monsoon affects the flavour of tea in a few ways. First, the rainwater seeps into the ground and affects the quality of the water used to make tea. This can make the tea taste earthier or more mineral-like. Second, the humidity and wet conditions can cause mould to grow on tea leaves, which can affect the flavour of the tea. Finally, the change in temperature and weather patterns can affect how tea leaves oxidize, which also changes the flavour of the tea.
Fact 6: The monsoon can cause "blood rain."
The Indian monsoon can cause "blood rain," which is a type of rain that contains red-coloured particles. These particles can be either sand or dust that has been picked up by the wind and carried into the atmosphere, or they can be tiny bits of rock that have been pulverised by the force of the raindrops. Either way, when the rain falls, it picks up these particles and carries them to the ground, where they can stain anything, they come into contact with.
Fact 7: The monsoon can create "living bridges."
The Indian monsoon can create living bridges made out of tree roots. These bridges are used by animals and humans to cross rivers. The roots of the trees act as anchors for the bridge, while the soil and rocks provide support. The bridges can be up to 30 metres long and can support the weight of up to 50 people.
Fact 8: The Monsoon Has Its Own Music
The monsoon season in India has always been a time of great celebration. The rains bring life to the parched earth and relief from the heat of the summer months. They also bring with them their own unique music. The genre of monsoon music is said to have originated in the state of Maharashtra, where it is known as Sangeet Barve. This type of music is characterised by its use of traditional instruments like the shehnai and tabla, as well as its focus on the emotions evoked by the rhythms. The lyrics of monsoon songs often reflect on the joys and sorrows of love, as well as the hope and despair that come with the changing seasons. Monsoon music has always been popular in India, but it has gained international acclaim in recent years thanks to artists like A.R. Rahman and Shankar Mahadevan. These artists have brought the sounds of the monsoon to a global audience and helped to ensure that this unique genre of music will be remembered for many years to come.
Fact 9: The Monsoon Can Lead to Mysterious Disappearances
Monsoons can lead to mysterious disappearances in a number of ways. First, the heavy rains can cause flash flooding that can quickly sweep people and animals away. Second, the rains can cause mudslides that can bury people and homes. Third, the rains can create large puddles of water that can drown people or animals. Finally, the rains can create large areas of fog that can make it difficult to see, and people can easily get lost.
Fact 10: The Monsoon is Changing Due to Climate Change
Climate change is causing the Indian monsoon to change in several ways. One is that the rains are now starting later in the season and ending earlier. This is caused by a delay in the arrival of the monsoon winds, which are now arriving later and leaving earlier. Another change is that the rain is becoming more intense. This is due to the increased evaporation that is occurring because of the higher temperatures. This means that when the rains do come, they fall on already very dry ground, leading to more runoff and flooding. A third change is that the geographical distribution of rainfall is changing. The heaviest rains used to fall in central and eastern India, but they are now shifting northwards into Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. This shift is caused by a change in the path of the jet stream that helps steer the monsoon winds.
All of these changes have major implications for agriculture, water resources, and flood management in India. Farmers will need to adapt their cropping patterns to account for the changes in the timing and intensity of the rains. And authorities will need to be prepared for more extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts.
End Thoughts
The Indian monsoon is an incredible and powerful event that has been impacting India for thousands of years. It brings much-needed rainfall to the country, allowing it to thrive economically and agriculturally. While there are some drawbacks, such as the potential for flooding, this seasonal phenomenon is essential to many aspects of life in India. We hope you have discovered something new about this fascinating weather system after reading these ten facts about the Indian Monsoon!
