Characteristics 1. The climate of India is described as the \’monsoon\’ type. Monsoon refers to the seasonal reversal in the wind direction during the year. 2. The duration of monsoon is between 100-120 days from early June to mid September.3. Around the time of its arrival, the normal rainfall increases suddenly and continues constantly for several days. This is known as \’burst\’ of the monsoon. 4. The monsoon has a tendency to have \’breaks\’ that means it has wet and dry spells. Monsoon rains take place only for a few days at a time. 5. The monsoon is known for its uncertainties. Effects of the Monsoon 1. India has been an agricultural country with more than 50% of its population dependent on agriculture. A large part of the country\’s agriculture is mainly dependent upon the monsoon rains. 2. There is great variation in the rainfall received by the different parts of the country, somewhere it leads to floods and its absence in other parts leads to drought like conditions.3. The Indian landscape, its animal and plant life, the entire agricultural calendar and the life of the people, including their festivities are associated with the monsoon