Describe the main characteristics of rainfall in India.

1. Monsoonal Rainfall: Most of the rain is received from S.W. summer monsoon during the period mid-June to mid-September. It is a seasonal rainfall.

2. Uncertain Rainfall: Summer rainfall is quite uncertain. Sometimes monsoons start early resulting in floods. Often the on-set of monsoons is delayed resulting in drought. The early or late retreat of monsoons also results is serious drought.

3. Unequal Distribution: The rainfall is unevenly distributed over the country. About 10% of the country gets more than 200 cm of rain while 25% of the country gets less than 75 cm of rain and rest of the country gets 100 to 200 cm of rainfall.

4. Heavy Rainfall: Indian rainfall is heavy and downpouring type. It is often said, 'It pours, it never rains in India.'

5. Relief Rainfall: The amount of rainfall is determined by the presence of mountains. High mountains force monsoons to rise and give rain.

6. No countinuity of rainfall: Summer rain is characterized by breaks or dry spells.

7. Variable Rainfall: Most of the areas have variable rainfall, as much as 30 cm plus or minus. Due to variability in areas of low rain, famines occur.