subparts

• Parts of western coast and northeastern India receive over about 400 cm of rainfall annually
• Rainfall is less than 60 cm in western Rajasthan and adjoining parts of Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab
• Rainfall is equally low in the interior of the Deccan plateau, and east of the Sahyadris
• A third area of low precipitation is around Leh in Jammu and Kashmir
• Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region
• Annual rainfall is highly variable from year to year due to the nature of monsoons
• Variability in rainfall is high in regions of low rainfall, such as parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and the leeward side of the Western Ghats
• Himalayas protect the subcontinent from extremely cold winds from central Asia, leading to uniformly higher temperatures in northern India compared to other areas on the same latitudes
• The Peninsular plateau, under the influence of the sea from three sides, has moderate temperatures
• Despite moderating influences, there are great variations in temperature conditions
• The monsoon provides a rhythmic cycle of seasons with seasonal alteration of wind systems and associated weather conditions
• Uncertainties of rain and uneven distribution are typical of the monsoons
• The Indian landscape, its animal and plant life, agricultural calendar, and the life of the people revolve around the monsoon phenomenon
• Monsoon winds provide water for agricultural activities, binding the whole country and uniting river valleys as a single river valley unit