For the sake of climate discussion, India can be divided into two distinct regions viz., North India and South India.
Climate of North India
North India covers the Area from the state of Jammu and Kashmir to the Vindya Mountain range. The climate is cool and dry in winter with some rain during the cold season. The mountainous area receives snowfall also. Generally, the temperature is most pleasant on the plains of North India where average temperatures are in the range of 50 to 60 F ( 10-15 C ). In the mountains however temperatures below 32 F are frequent with heavy snow on some occasions.
The early summer is very hot on the plains where the temperatures can cross the 100 F mark by Mid-April and by May it reaches 110 F ( 43 C ). The hill stations enjoy the most pleasant climate at this time where the temperatures are in the range of 70 -80 F at mid-day.
From end of June to about the middle of September this area receives moderate monsoon rains. The rain is heaviest in the North-East and gradually decreases westwards. In general this season is the most unhealthy of all with extreme humidity and high temperatures.
Climate of South India
South India comprises the Area from the Vindya Mountain range up to the southern most tip of India. Whole of peninsular India falls under this region. The climate of South India principally differs from the climate of the North on the following points.
1. The weather remains hot throughout the year and generally the coolest month is over 7O F ( 21 C ). At Mumbai for instance, the coolest month has a mean of 76 F ( 25 C ).
2. The humidity is high throughout the year especially in the coastal areas which makes the weather very trying.
3. South India generally receives much more rain than North India. Especially, South western India is an area of very heavy rainfall. No where on the west coast, the total annual rainfall is les than 70 in (1800 mm ) and at Panaji in Goa it is more than 118 in ( 3000 mm ). The rainy season is also much longer than that of North India . It starts in early June and continues up to end of October.
This, in short, is a general overview of the climate of India.
By: Waqar Awan
Posts Tagged ‘India South’
Climate of India
December 20th, 2009Popular Bird Sanctuaries of South India
November 18th, 2009
South India is a great destination for bird watchers. There are many bird sanctuaries in South India.
Most of them are in the periphery of wildlife sanctuaries and national Parks. Some of the popular Bird sanctuaries are here.
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is one of the popular National Parks in Kerala, South India. It is located on the northern bank of River Periyar. The famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali designed this sanctuary. It is home for birds like Indian Roller, Cukoo, Common Snipe, Crow Pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon etc.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Located on the banks of Vembanad Lake in Kerala, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 acres. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. It is home for local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, and migratory birds like the siberian stork, Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, egret, darter, heron and teal.
Vedathangal Bird Sanctuary
Vedathangal Bird Sanctuary is the oldest Bird Sanctuary in India, located in Tamil Nadu, another southern state of India. This sanctuary can be visited on the way to Mamalapuram, which is just 53 kms away and 85 kms from Chennai. Every year, a large number of migratory birds like Grey Heron, Cormorant, Egrets, Darter, Open-billed Stork, Spoonbill, White Ibis, Grebes, Night Herons and Grey Pelican visit this Sanctuary. It is home for other birds like Cormorants, Darters, Herons, egrets, Open billed Storck, White Ibis, little Grebe, Indian Moorhen, Black Winged Stilts etc.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, is another important tourist destination. The sanctuary is now a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and bird watchers. It is a small sanctuary, comprising six islets on the banks of the Kaveri River, and is very close of the historic town Srirangapatana. Birds like Painted Stork, Asian Openbill Stork, Common Spoonbill, Woolly-necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, White Ibis, Lesser Whistling Duck, Indian Shag, Stork-billed Kingfisher and other common birds like egrets, cormorants, Oriental Darter, and herons are here.
Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary
Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary is located 33kms south of Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, another southern state of India. Kunthakulam is a small and natural scenic village, which is covered with natural forests and ponds. Many birds migrate here during January to April from countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA, and Australia.
Kawal Sanctuary
Located 50-kms from Mancherial in Andhra Pradesh, another southern State of India, Kawal Sanctuary is home for birds like Peacocks, Patridges, Quails, Vultures, Eagles, Kites, Owls, Mynas, Pigeons, Tree – pies, Kingfishers. Also animals like Sloth Bear, Panther, Tiger etc are here.
Kolleru Bird Sanctuary
Situated in Andhra Pradesh in Godavari District, 60 kms from Vijayawada, this picturesque bird sanctuary of India is a great tourist attraction. The prime attraction of birds are Painted storks, open bill storks, Grey Herons, cormorants, white Ibises, glossy Ibises, egrets, Reef Herons, Ducks, Coots, Shovellers, Terns, Jacanas, Moorhens etc.
Manjira Bird Sanctuary
Located near Sangareddy in Medak District, Andhra Pradesh (50-km From Hyderabad), the Manjira Bird Sanctuary is a haven to a variety of migratory as well as domestic feathered species. The birds include Painted Storks, Herons, Coots, Teals, Cormorants, Pochards, Black and White Ibises, Spoon Bills, Open Billed Storks etc.
By: Lakshmi Menon
