Explain the factors responsible for affecting the climate of India

Dear Student,

Various factors, both lying within and outside India influence the climate of India. The chief among them are the following -

(1) Latitude: The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country from the Rann of Kutchh in the west to Mizoram in the east. The areas lying in the south of the Tropic of Cancer belong to the tropical area while the remaining areas lying to the north of the Tropic of Cancer belong to the sub-tropical area. Therefore, India's climate has characteristics of tropical as well as sub-tropical areas.
(2) Altitude: With the increase in altitude the atmosphere becomes less dense and temperature decreases. That is why hills are cooler during summers. India has an average height of 6000 meters in the north while in the south there is a vast coastal area with a maximum elevation of about 30 meters. It is because of the differences in altitudes or relief that while it is hot during summer in the Plains of Punjab, Haryana, UP etc., the places in the mountains like Nainital, Darjeeling, and Ooty etc. are colder.
(3) Physiography: Physiography also plays a vital role in determining the climate of a place. India has a varied Physiography. The Himalayas in the north act as a great barrier to the cold winds from Central Asia. In absence of the Himalayas, India would have been a frigid country. The location of the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal on the three sides of India exert a moderating influence on the climate of India. The ocean, seas etc. being vast water bodies act as storehouses of moisture which India needs very badly. Without these water bodies, India would have been a very hot country with a climate like that of a desert, like the Sahara in Africa.
(4) Western Cyclonic Disturbances: The western cyclonic disturbances are weather phenomena of the winter months brought in by the westerly flow from the Mediterranean region. They usually influence the weather of the north-western regions of India. In winter, in northern India, Punjab and Haryana get some rain from these western disturbances.
(5) Pressure and Winds: India lies in the region of north-easterly winds. These winds originate from sub-tropical high pressure belt of northern hemisphere. The fury of monsoons, as well as a long dry spell in India, is mainly due to the pressure conditions which develop in the surrounding countries like East Africa, Iran, and Central Asia. Winds especially Typhoons originating in China, ocean currents along with onshore winds and monsoon winds have a great control on the climate of India. Also, the upper air circulation such as Jet Streams plays a dominant role in determining the climate of India.

Regards