Give a brief account of the condition and characteristics of the retreating monsoons.
Answer:
- This is the transition period during the months of October and November.
- With the apparent movement of the Sun towards the south, the low pressure trough over the northern plains becomes weaker. This is gradually replaced by a high pressure system.
- The south-west monsoon winds weaken and start withdrawing gradually.
- By the beginning of October, the monsoon withdraws from the northern plains.
- The months of October and November form a period of transition from hot rainy season to dry winter conditions.
- When monsoons retreat, skies get clear and the temperature rises.
- While day temperatures are high, nights are cool and pleasant. The land is still moist.
- Owing to the conditions of high temperature and humidity, the weather becomes oppressive during the day. This is commonly known as October Heat.
- The low pressure conditions get transferred to the Bay of Bengal by early November.
- The cyclonic depressions originate from the Andaman Sea and cause heavy and widespread rains on the eastern coast.
- These tropical cyclones are often very destructive and affect the coast of Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh.