Climatic Regions of India
India can be divided into a number of climatic
regions.
Tropical Rain Forests in India : Found in the west coastal plains, the Western
Ghats and parts of Assam. Characterized by high temperatures throughout the year. Rainfall, though
seasonal, is heavy- about 200 cms annually during the May-November period.
Tropical Savanna Climate : In most of the peninsula region except the
semi-arid zone in the leeward side of the Western Ghats. It is characterized by
long dry weather throughout winter and early summer and high temperature (above
18.2c); annual rainfall varies from 76 cm in the west to 150 cm in the east.
Tropical Semi-Arid Steppe Climate : It prevails in the rain-shadow belt running
southward from Central Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu in the leeward side of the
Western Ghats and the Cardamom Hills. It is characterized by low rainfall which varies from 38 cm to 80 cm, high
temperature between 20 and 30.
Tropical and Subtropical Steppes : Large areas in Punjab, Haryana and Kutch region.
Temperature varies from 120-350 c. The maximum
temperature reaches up to 49c. The annual rainfall, varying from 30.5-63.5 cm,
is also highly erratic.
Tropical desert : This climate extends over the western parts of
Banner, Jaisalmer and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan and parts of Kutch. It is characterized by scanty rainfall (30.5 cm),
which is highly erratic. Rains are mostly in the form of cloud-burst. Mean
monthly temperature is uniformly high (about 35c).
Humid Subtropical Climate with Dry Winters : This area includes south of the Himalayas, east
of the tropical and subtropical steppes and north of tropical savannah. Winters
are mild to severe while summers are extremely hot. The annual rainfall varies
from 63.5 cm to more than 254 cm, most of it received during the south west monsoon
season.
Mountain Climate : Such type of climate is seen in mountainous
regions which rise above 6,000 m or more such as the Himalayas and the
Karakoram Range.