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•  Villagers in flooded rice paddies during monsoon season,
    Nishantapur, Bangladesh
•  Wet season in Satichiwadi, Maharashtra, India
•  Dry season in Satichiwadi, Maharashtra, India
•  Summer Monsoon Map: Average Summer Precipitation
•  Winter Monsoon Map: Average Winter Precipitation
Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring a lot of rainfall during part of the year. These strong wind patterns are a main feature of South Asia's climate. Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring a lot of rainfall during part of the year. These strong wind patterns are a main feature of South Asia's climate.
Summer: Wet Monsoons
From May to early October, winds blow northward from the Indian Ocean and bring heavy rain. Some regions receive 100 inches of rain per year. They may even receive over 300 inches.
The summer monsoon rains bring water to crops. They fill reservoirs that hold lots of water. But the rains can cause floods and landslides, too. People in these regions live their lives during the monsoon season. They find ways to save their crops. They learn how to get through streets that are flooded.
Winter: Dry Monsoons
From November to April, the winter monsoons change direction. They blow southward. The air is often dry. The dry monsoons do not cause as much rain as the wet monsoons do.
A very dry monsoon season can kill crops. It can hurt the region's economy. People store water during the wet monsoons to prepare for the dry monsoon season. They use this water todrink and to water their crops.
474 - 475
Student eEdition  |  Unit 9: South Asia


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Summer Monsoon Map
Winter Monsoon Map
Digital Library
U9 South Asia, CH17 Geography & History, S1.3 Living with Monsoons
© James P. Blair/National Geographic Stock
Bangladesh receives large amounts of rainfall during the monsoon season from June to late September or early October. Most of the country receives at least 60 inches of rain per year, with some areas receiving 100 or even 200 inches. Because most fields flood during the monsoon season, people build houses on higher ground.
Digital Library
U9 South Asia, CH17 Geography & History, S1.3 Living with Monsoons
© Coming Soon
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Digital Library
U9 South Asia, CH17 Geography & History, S1.3 Living with Monsoons
© Coming Soon
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Digital Library
U9 South Asia, CH17 Geography & History, S1.3 Living with Monsoons
© Lynsey Addario/National Geographic Stock
In the wet season, the farms of Satichiwadi in Maharashtra state become green and productive. The villagers are taking part in a watershed program to make the most of their limited rain by sculpting the land to prevent runoff and using embankments and tanks to store the water.
Digital Library
U9 South Asia, CH17 Geography & History, S1.3 Living with Monsoons
© Lynsey Addario/National Geographic Stock
In the dry season the farms of Satichiwadi in Maharashtra state, broil under the sun. By May, with temperatures over 100 degrees, the villagers have had no significant rainfall for seven months. The villagers are taking part in a watershed program that has raised the water table and helps them to keep water in their wells all year.