The and Himalayas are critical. The Western Ghats force the southwest winds to rise, causing orographic rainfall (over 250 cm annually on windward slopes). The Himalayas prevent dry continental air from Central Asia from entering India, keeping the monsoon trapped over the subcontinent.
In recent years, the predictable rhythm of the monsoon has been disrupted. Climate change is causing more frequent "extreme weather events." This means that while the total amount of rain might remain similar, it often falls in short, violent bursts that cause flash floods, followed by long dry spells that parch the earth. Rising sea temperatures in the Indian Ocean are also altering wind patterns, making the monsoon harder to predict for meteorologists and farmers alike.
As the sun moves north of the equator, temperatures rise rapidly. A low-pressure area develops over the interior, creating hot, dry winds known locally as .
