Monsoons

1. Monsoons

2. Causes of Monsoons and where they occur: A phenomenon occurring annually, that can result in 828 cm (Karnataka, India) in some places on annual rainfall. It is near impossible to tell the timing, duration and quantity of rain each season. The Northern hemisphere has much more land that the southern hemisphere, which is mostly ocean. Land reflects the sun’s rays meaning that air here is heated more rapidly, compared to over ocean where the water is able to absorb a lot of the heat resulting in the air being cooler here. Southern moist air masses During the summer, where the sun shines more directly on the northern hemisphere- the hot air rises here quickly and the moisture-carrying southern air/winds moves in to replace it. The moisture is released overland and this is what creates the monsoon, these are Summer Monsoons and are found on continental Asia, North and South America, south Africa and Australia but mainly India.

3. There are also Winter Monsoons, also known as Northeast Monsoons. These are created during the Winter when the sun’s rays shine more directly on the Southern hemisphere this time. In this season, the continents are cooler than the water, which retains the absorbed heat. The air circulation is reversed, with warm air rising over the oceans and cooler land air known as “cold surges” rushing in to replace it. Movement of cold surges Now the cold surges pick up moisture as they travel over the tropical waters where they are released over Indonesia, Northern Australia, Sri Lanka and The East Indian Coast.

4. New Delhi, India -summer of 1978 –LEDC/MEDC In 1978, the river Ganges and Jamura rivers burst their banks after extensive swelling due to the heavy monsoon rainfall. River Ganges Social Impacts- ●Millions made Homeless ●1000 dead ●5% (3.5 million) of population felt the effects ●600,000 houses swept away ●Sacred city of Benares destroyed ● Many effected by dysentery and diarrhoea. Economic Impacts- ●Millions of dollars worth of damage ●Crops destroyed ●Animals/Cattle drowned ●Relief needed for homeless

5. West Bengal, India- Autumn 1980 MEDC/LEDC This monsoon, 2 years after the New previous New Delhi monsoon, caused floods, landslides, destroyed buildings and killed around 1,500 people. Tagum, The Philippines 1981, October- LEDC Monsoon floods forced 600 people to hide in 8 bunkhouses when overflowing streams sent waves of water, carrying trees, rocks and mud through the village. Debris smashing into the buildings and flood waters killed over 160 villagers and injured 100 others.

6. Perceptions of Monsoons In India especially, the people rely on themonsoon rains to provide irrigation for their crops, their livelihood. Some times there is enough rainfall so that 2 crops can be grown in a year. The floods also bring silt which fertilizes the soil. Although they can devastate areas, drown crops+animals and kill many people if there is too much rainfall- monsoons are seen as essential for the survival of their way of life. Additionally though, if the monsoon rains don’t come at all- the effect will be that crops will be lost and then there will be famine to contend with. This is because in poorer countries where their economy and basic survival relies largely on agriculture, they have to accept the monsoons as a part of their life- they are both feared and thanked for.

7. Prevention/Management of Monsoons Many argue that flooding should be allowed as it essential for fishing and agriculture. However, in Urban areas there is no need for rainfall and monsoons simply cause needless destruction. In Bangladesh which suffers it’s own floods, though not solely from monsoons, was aided by The Flood Action Plan of 1990 which was financed by the world bank. This finances the monitoring of rivers, and further planning and building of huge flood banks. Although monsoon weather is rainfall, it’s negative effects are usually caused by the overflowing of rivers rather than just heavy rainfall. Flood wall, constructed by boulders

8. Ultimately the most effective methods of reducing the hazard’s effects are in terms of sustainable projects and meteorological forecasting equipment via satellite with early warning systems. Smaller sustainable projects can be in terms of embankments made from earth to protect the urban areas in LEDCs. Organised flood shelters, and even organised flood procedure via handed out leaflets can help to alleviate the disorder and deathtole in the event of a flood caused by a monsoon. Although the financial and geographical/distance restrictions of many poorer countries inhibit them from this sort of technology and means, meteorological research equipment, and meteorological warning offices have proved effective in Dahka in Bangladesh where they severely reduced the usual death tole of a severe meteorological event there. This ultimately means that the more technologically advanced and organised a country is, will result in them being less damaged by monsoons. However the level of rainfall in some monsoons means that ultimately no level of preparation is going to prevent it’s devastation.