The sky seems to be breaking through. Through the swirling clouds, covering everything to the very horizon, continuous streams of water pour. The rain, not like buckets, but like thousands of buckets, hits the roofs and treetops. Due to the jets of water, visibility is no more than ten meters. From time to time, the twilight is illuminated by bright flashes of lightning, thunder shakes everything around... It is difficult to imagine that such weather can last for several weeks.
This formidable phenomenon is monsoon rain. Dangerous and at the same time beautiful, as it has become the basis of life for the population of many countries. In the countries of South and South-East Asia The onset of monsoon rains is awaited with hope and anxiety. Delay in the wet season causes drought. And too intense rains lead to floods. Both are fraught with adverse consequences.
How are monsoon rains formed?
A monsoon is a type of wind that occurs at the interface between an ocean and a large landmass. Their main feature is seasonality, that is, they change direction depending on the time of year. Because of varying degrees As continents and surrounding waters warm and cool, areas with different atmospheric pressures are formed. The pressure gradient is what causes the wind to blow from the ocean to the land in summer, and vice versa in winter. The summer monsoon moves from the sea and brings humid air. Clouds arising from these steam-rich oceanic air masses, become a source of monsoon rains.
Countries with a monsoon climate
The effect of monsoons is most pronounced in the climate of the countries of South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. Europeans first learned about these winds from Arab travelers. Therefore, the Arabic word "mausim", meaning "season", was somewhat modified in French, became the name for the monsoons.
Wet winds bringing in summer time sediments from the ocean are typical for both East and Southeast Asia. China, Cambodia, Vietnam and other countries with development Agriculture also due to monsoon rains.
The North American monsoon, which operates in the eastern United States, also stands out. Action in Russia seasonal winds clearly visible in the south Far East.
Monsoon rain is a long-awaited event
Residents of countries with a monsoon climate always await the arrival of summer rains with trepidation, because the start of agricultural work depends on their timely arrival. Soils that were dried out during the dry period are again saturated with moisture. Water supplies in rivers and lakes are replenished, and large volumes are accumulated in reservoirs. This precious moisture is then used during the dry season to irrigate fields.
The monsoon rainy season begins with joy and rejoicing over the long-awaited freshness, the decline in the heat that lasted for several months. Bright greenery appears and many plants begin to bloom. This is the time when nature flourishes. The main thing is that the monsoon season starts on time. Then there are usually no unpleasant surprises.
Rain is not only a blessing
The monsoon began on time and hope for good harvest. But often the amount of precipitation exceeds all norms. The result is that a joyful event turns into a natural disaster.
In September 2014, much was written about floods in India and Pakistan. The somewhat delayed wet season was marked by continuous monsoon rains, which provoked powerful floods. and its tributaries overflowed their banks, flooding surrounding area along with hundreds of villages. The number of victims reached several hundred.
Water-saturated, loose rocks began to move down the slopes of hills and mountains not secured by forest. The result was hundreds of large and small landslides, aggravating the scale of the disaster. Washed out and flooded roads made it difficult for rescuers to arrive and dangerous areas.
Causes of catastrophic consequences
Of course, high intensity monsoon rain led to such unfavorable consequences. But there are several other reasons that are not directly related to precipitation. The first of these is that the majority of the population of these countries lives in floodplains large rivers, where the soils are more fertile and where it is easier to provide irrigation to the fields during drought.
The second reason is deforestation of the slopes of the Himalayas, foothills and steep slopes of the Deccan Plateau. The loose layer of plant litter located under the forests absorbs a lot of moisture, seeping through it and replenishing reserves groundwater. In addition, tree roots hold soil particles together, preventing them from being involved in downslope movement as part of landslide masses or
The conclusion seems simple: stop on the mountain slopes and take restoration measures vegetation cover. But in countries where most rural residents can only use firewood as fuel for cooking and heating their homes in the cold season, a ban on cutting trees will cause new problems.
Monsoons in the Russian Far East
Monsoons are typical for the southern part of the Pacific coast of Russia. It's dry and frosty winters, and summer is often cloudy and rainy. Wet coming from Japanese and bringing a large number of precipitation. The monsoon rainy season in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk territories occurs at the end of summer and beginning of autumn. Therefore, the rivers here do not overflow in the spring, as in middle lane, and in August-September.
2013 became a very difficult year for the Far Eastern regions of Russia due to catastrophic flooding on the Amur River and its tributaries. The flood caused huge damage economy and population.
To solve the problem, various measures are proposed, the main ones being the regulation of river flow through the construction of reservoirs and the protection settlements flood control dams. It is also necessary to resettle people from the most dangerous areas to flood-free areas.
Monsoon rains are a source of much-needed moisture in different areas globe. This is also a formidable natural phenomenon that can be very dangerous. But useful qualities monsoons are much more important for people, especially those engaged in tropical agriculture.
When only sailing ships plied the sea and ocean spaces, many Arabs went to the fabulously rich India in June and July. At this time, the southwest wind inflated the sails of the ships and they quite quickly traveled from the shores of South Arabia to the peninsulas of Indo-stan and Indochina. IN winter months the ships were loaded with necessary goods and went back. And again a fair wind, but now blowing in the opposite direction, urged the ships on.
The Arabs called the wind, which helped the sailors so much, “mausim”, which in their language means “season”, “season”. The name given to the wind was quite apt, because in one season (summer) it actually blew in one direction, and in another season (winter) - in the opposite direction. Subsequently, the French began to pronounce this word in their own way - “monsoon”; with a slight change it entered into use among all peoples.
Territories that are subject to the effects of monsoons are said to have a monsoon climate. Monsoon climate is observed in certain areas of the Far East, on the Korean peninsula, Indochina, Hindustan and in a number of other areas, but it is most pronounced in India.
Monsoons in India
The summer monsoons in India sometimes come quickly and suddenly. Just yesterday the hot southern sun burned mercilessly, and it seems there is nothing in the world that would moderate its heat, but today on the horizon, where the mighty chest of the ocean touches the sky, it has turned blue. Joy local residents the sky's the limit: the long-awaited monsoon is finally coming.
“Mansun, mansun,” is heard everywhere (that’s what Indians call monsoons). After a few hours, the sky turns leaden-black, the sea begins to ripple, and the waves crash onto the shore with a roar. And there is complete calm over land. Everything seems to calm down, as it happens before a thunderstorm. And suddenly lightning cuts the sky, the peals of thunder and the sound of the sea surf drown out human voices, streams of rain rush onto the parched land.
And this four-kilometer thick layer of clouds, from which streams of rain fall, cut by arrows of lightning, moves for about a month from the ocean to the Himalayan mountains.
The rain pours down like buckets day and night, the thunderclaps almost never stop. A day passes, two days, ten days, a month passes, then two, and the rain comes and goes with short breaks. Nature, yearning for moisture, is being transformed. Fields, meadows and trees are covered with delicate greenery. Material from the site
But then autumn comes. The land cools and again becomes colder than the sea. The pressure over land begins to increase, and the wind blows again, but this time towards a more warm sea, transferring dry air from the continent to the ocean. The summer monsoon ends, the sky clears of clouds and turns blue. Now, for six months, India will be dominated by continental air masses coming from the north of the country. At this time, dry, clear weather prevails in most of the country. Dryness and temperature increase from month to month. In March-April, the daytime temperature reaches 30°, and at the end of May in some areas it reaches 50°. In places where there is no artificial irrigation, vegetation burns out; from the unbearable heat the trees shed their leaves; dust raised by the wind obscures the horizon. Due to excessive dryness, fires break out here and there. At night the heat subsides somewhat and people can rest a little from the heat of the day. When the sun rises, people close their windows, and many hang wickerwork made of grass, generously moistened with water, on their doors.
At the end of winter, the air over India warms up greatly. A low level is established over the country Atmosphere pressure. Moist oceanic air begins to move and flows onto land. The summer monsoon is heading to India again.
Monsoon means "season" in Arabic. Monsoon- wind that sharply changes direction twice a year. During summer season The monsoon blows from sea to land; during the winter season, on the contrary, from land to sea.
We invite you to go on an unusual journey. Let us follow the winds of the seasons today. “Mausim” - in Arabic - season, time of year, this is where the word “monsoon” comes from. Winds of the seasons that blow from opposite directions in winter and summer.
Let's first Let's look at the situation in the summer: There is a lot of sun and it heats the land to a greater extent. But why? Everything is not so complicated, firstly, water has the property that it is difficult to heat and difficult to cool. Water, of all substances, is the most difficult to heat, so it is said that its heat capacity is equal to unity. The volumetric heat capacity of air is equal to 0.000307, i.e., to heat the air it is necessary to apply 3257 times less heat than is required for water. Conversely, it is 3257 times easier to cool air than water.
Plus, water, unlike land, is also transparent, which means Sun rays penetrate into the water column and warm it up, not just the surface layers.
So, we settled on the fact that in the summer the sun heats the land more than the ocean. Therefore, the air over land is heated and rises, leaving behind an area low pressure. Above the ocean, the air is colder and, therefore, located closer to the ground, and here a region appears high pressure. That's almost all!!! A holy place is never empty and cold air is directed from the ocean to land to fill the “empty” space. Or in other words, high pressure forces air into areas of lower pressure.
Why is the air humid in summer? Here, too, everything is simple, it came from the ocean, and there is a lot of water there :) In the summer, under the influence of the sun, it evaporates and saturates the air.
Now let's consider what happens in winter. There is little sun here and it doesn’t play important role. But again, everything happens thanks to amazing properties water discussed earlier. Behind long summer, the water has absorbed a lot of heat, and in winter it begins to slowly release it, while the air above the land cools down almost as soon as the sun goes away. Therefore, now, all the air over the ocean is heated due to the heat accumulated in the water, and the air over land without the sun cools down.
And again, where the air is warm, the pressure is low, and where it is cold, the pressure is high. And the wind blows from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. Those. in our case, in winter monsoon winds they blow from the land into the ocean, and I think it’s clear why they are dry :-).
For a better understanding, also watch the video: “Why does the wind blow?”
Monsoon climate areas.
Summer monsoons come from the sea and bring with them rain and dampness; in winter, the wind blows from the land and gives dry and clear weather.
India is classic monsoon territory. This natural phenomenon has long been known to sailors, because the correct change of winds was very important for navigation.
What does spring mean to us? Awakening of nature, rebirth. The onset of the rainy summer monsoon carries the same significance on the Indian mainland. Many poets have sung this season in their works. In addition to India, the South Asian monsoon also covers Indochina, and then China.
And finally, the Australian monsoons sweep northern part Australia and the Malay Archipelago. These are the areas of the monsoon country.
Modern Russian physical map of the world with sea currents. Among other things, you can find the monsoon current that goes around India.
And now, we invite you to get acquainted with wet and variable-humid monsoon forests.
Permanently wet forests. Huge humidity and always hot temperature air. Vegetable and animal world very rich. These forests are impenetrable jungles, with several layers of plants that never shed their leaves. The animals are usually small in size, since large individuals would have difficulty making their way through difficult areas. For humans, these forests also pose a challenge. Even today you can find places untouched and unexplored by us.
Variably wet forests. There is no precipitation all year round, but only during the rainy season. Plants have to shed their leaves to protect themselves from excess evaporation. Animals also have to adapt, so the diversity of flora and fauna here is inferior to the constantly humid forests.
Unfortunately, these forests are increasingly threatened by our civilization. And restoring their previous appearance takes a lot of time. Therefore, it is worth thinking again about how to preserve this wonderful splendor of nature.
And finally, I suggest watching a video film: BBC: Natural World. Monsoon / Natural World. Monsoon.
The monsoon season has arrived in India. These rains, which typically last from June to September, are critical for farmers on whose harvests hundreds of millions of people depend. By recent information According to the Indian Meteorological Department, monsoon rains will cover almost the entire country by the end of June.
An Indian girl wraps herself in her mother's sari during heavy rains outside in the northern hill town of Dharamsala, India, Thursday, June 30, 2011.
2. A Hindu takes a ritual bath in the Ganges River, the water of which has become cloudy after heavy rains in areas located upstream. Allahabad, Thursday, June 30, 2011.
3. Police officers evacuate their belongings after water flooded a police station following heavy rains in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011.
4. A flooded police station after heavy rains in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011.
5. Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Tourists wander through thick fog caused by heavy rains along a street in the northern hill town of Dharamsala, India.
6.Schoolchildren play on a flooded street after rains in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, June 28, 2011.
7. An Indian worker loads a banana harvest onto a small truck during heavy rain on the outskirts of Allahabad, India, Monday, June 27, 2011. The heavy monsoon rain season in India began in the northwestern part of the country several days ahead of schedule, meteorologists say.
Passersby reflect in puddles after monsoon rains during morning rush hour in New Delhi, India, Monday June 27, 2011.
Street vendors prepare fruit salad while sitting next to a puddle after monsoon rains in New Delhi, India, Monday, June 27, 2011.
Hindu priests sit in water pots as they perform Parjanya Yagya, a Vedic ritual to bring rain, in Ahmedabad, India, Sunday, June 26, 2011. The Indian Meteorological Department on Friday noted that monsoon rains could cover almost the entire country by June 29, except for some small areas in the far northwestern region.
Dervishes take shelter during heavy rain in Jammu, India, Sunday, June 26, 2011.
12. An Indian trader pushes his cart along a flooded road during heavy rain in Jammu, India, Sunday, June 26, 2011.
A cyclist rides along a flooded road during heavy rain in Jammu, India, Sunday, June 26, 2011.
14. Flood victims stand in line for humanitarian aid at a distribution center in Ghatal, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Kolkata, India, Thursday, June 23, 2011.
15. Indian schoolchildren take shelter under an umbrella during sudden rain in Bangalore, India, Thursday, June 23, 2011.
A flood victim, right, receives rice at a distribution center in Ghatal, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Kolkata, India, Thursday, June 23, 2011.
Pedestrians make their way through flooded streets on the Aramba-Ghatal State Highway in Ghatal, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Kolkata, India, Thursday, June 23, 2011.
Indian tourists ride boats on the Ganges River with monsoon clouds in the background in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, June 22, 2011.
19. People ride bicycles along the banks of the Ganges River, amid monsoon clouds in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, June 22, 2011.
A boat with people on a flooded street in Ghatal town in West Midnapore, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Kolkata, India, Tuesday, June 21, 2011.
A man and a child wait for a boat in the town of Ghatal in West Midnapore, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Kolkata, India, Tuesday, June 21, 2011.
People walk through a flooded highway in the town of Ghatal in West Midnapore, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Kolkata, India, Tuesday, June 21, 2011.
23. Boats carry people along a flooded street in the city of Ghatal, India, Tuesday, June 21, 2011.
25. In this photo taken on Monday, June 20, 2011, a woman hangs clothes to dry in Haldia, about 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Allahabad, India.
26. In this photo taken on Monday, June 20, 2011, children play on a swing in Haldia, about 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Allahabad, India. Young women and children celebrate the monsoon season by tying swings to tree branches in many parts of India.
27. Monk with umbrella rain near Budanat Stupa, object world heritage UNESCO in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sunday, June 19, 2011.
Monsoon is a very important meteorological element that affects and influences the climate of our planet. We present to your attention photographs of this extraordinary natural phenomenon.
Here we go - The storm is approaching White Sands National Park in New Mexico:
Dark storm clouds contrast with the red cliffs of New Mexico
Purple clouds pierced by lightning. Tucson, Arizona
Dark gray clouds build up around Malaysia's most famous landmark, the Petronas Towers:
Unlike Malaysia, Vietnam experiences only one monsoon each year. But this is a very intense downpour, flooding most regions. Strangely enough, despite the destruction that such rains bring to agriculture, especially rice fields, it would not be able to survive without such rains
Zanzibar has 2 rainy seasons - the longer one - from March to May, accompanied by copious amounts of rain. And the 2nd rainy season is from October to December. The East African monsoon is only part of the South Asian monsoon system and the amount and duration of rainfall can vary greatly
This shot was taken during a football game in Brazil. Fortunately, most countries with monsoons are quite warm. The South American monsoon may be shorter than any monsoon on other continents, but it is an important part of agriculture and ecology.
Scientists have spent many years studying the South American monsoon, which covers quite a large area, including the Amazon River basin
Among the "good" side effects- stunning sunsets!
Recently, scientists have begun to explore other theories, which include the possibility that monsoons are not caused by temperature changes, but by the interaction of tropical air circulation and stormy weather. air flow in mid latitudes. Research into the exact conditions that cause monsoons is ongoing.
Eat various reasons floods during the monsoon. For coastal zones the problem may be due to high tides in already flooded areas, or seasonal cyclones and hurricanes blowing in from the sea. Inland rivers can overflow their boundaries, filling floodplains and inundating low-lying areas.
Countryside India (the "Ghats" or hills near Mumbai) is also prone to monsoon rainfall. The subcontinent has the most intense monsoon period - 80% of its rainfall falls between June and September
Monsoon season in India is a popular time for people to visit National parks and hill stations. Urban areas are washed free of dust, leaves and various vegetation begin to grow rapidly. Unfortunately, all this beauty does not last long.
Nepal experiences two monsoons a year, a stronger summer monsoon and a more moderate winter monsoon. The summer monsoon begins in June and is vital for the rice fields. Too much rain, however, can cause landslides and flooding and block the transport system. The winter monsoon affects snow more high mountains and is important for crops in lower areas that rely on melt water for irrigation
Barron Falls in North Queensland, Australia really comes alive with the rainfall during the monsoon:
An eerie light precedes the sudden birth of a monsoon, capital Bangkok:
The city of Shanghai appears to be covered in clouds during the East Asian monsoon:
The Tibetan Plateau is extremely important for the formation of monsoon weather maps in Asia, Australia and East Africa
As you can see, monsoon is a crucial weather pattern that affects life on our planet in the most direct way. Continuing the topic of natural phenomena visit the page about Catatumbo - Venezuela's Eternal Storm
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