The monsoon is in full swing over India, bringing around 80% of the country's annual rainfall within a few months, this is a vital time for the country.

Thunderstorms can be seen daily on the WeatherRadar, these also trigger floods and landslides.

The monsoon follows the same pattern every year. In early June, it first starts to rain in Kerala, the southernmost state. The rain then spreads north-westwards. In early July, it reaches the north-westernmost states – as it has done this year.

This year, the monsoon began a few days later than usual, following a very dry and hot June in India. The rain is therefore urgently needed. By the end of next week, rainfall is expected to exceed 300 mm in some areas.

The monsoon occurs because the land and sea heat up to different degrees depending on the season. This, in particular, causes the wind direction to change.

In summer, the wind in India shifts to the south-west, carrying moist air from the sea, bringing heavy rainfall far inland.

In winter, it is exactly the opposite: the wind blows mainly from the north to north-east, from the dry mainland, so there is hardly any rain.