Ans: Characteristics of the monsoon rainfall in India: (a) The duration of the monsoon varies from 100 to 120 days from early June to mid September. (b) Around the time of its arrival, the normal rainfall increase suddenly and continues regularly for several days. This is called the 'burst' of the monsoon. (c) They are distinguished from the premonsoon showers because of their increase in rainfall amount and regularity. (d) The monsoon arrives at the southern tip of the Indian Peninsular generally by the first week of June. (e) The rainfall is unevenly distributed across the country.
Effects of the monsoon rainfall in India: (a) Agriculture in India largely depends on Indian monsoons for water. Late, Low or excessive rains have a negative impact upon crops. (b) Due to uneven distribution of rainfall across the country, there are few places that are drought prone and few are flood affected. (c) The monsoon provides India with a diverse climatic pattern. Hence, in spite of the presence of great regional variations, it has a unifying influence upon the country and its people.