India is indeed lucky to get monsoon rainfall, especially the south-west monsoon. And as we saw in the 10th part of this series on monsoon magic, it is not just India, but all its neighbours depend on the monsoon rain. Along with the monsoon rains, there is another common factor for all these South Asian neighbours – India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and indirectly Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Before telling you what that common factor is, let me ask you a question. Do you think the rainfall creates geography or the geography impacts the rainfall?
In this case, the presence of Himalayas – that is the second factor common to all of us six countries – is the reason why we get monsoon rainfall. I am sure, you all remember what we studied in the school geography lessons.

The highest mountain range that the Himalayas are stand as a towering wall spread across Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan. It becomes a very efficient protection for the entire subcontinent from the harsh cold northern winds. And therefore, Himalayas also help the formation of low-pressure conditions in summers in India, especially over the north-western plains. And when the monsoon comes, travels across the Indian landmass before hitting the Himalayas, it also traps the monsoon winds literally pulling down all the moisture on this side of the Himalayas. (Remember Tibet and Ladakh are arid cold deserts exactly because of this).

Take a look at the image. The one on the right explains how the Himalayas form the barrier and help in monsoon rainfall. The one on the left explains how Tamil Nadu coastal areas receive rain during the North-East Monsoon, what is generally called returning monsoon.

Tomorrow we shall see what can possibly disturb a good monsoon rainfall. Hint: something to do with a ‘child’. Seriously, yes.

Image credit: Abhipedia (https://abhipedia.abhimanu.com/Article/IAS/NTUyOTUEEQQVV/Role-of-Himalayas-and-Tibetan-highlands-in-South-west-monsoon-Geography-IAS)

---- to be continued