Geography
Why Monsoon Variability Dictates Farming Calendars in South Asia
Quick fact
A delay of just two weeks in monsoon onset can reduce crop yields significantly, and a single mid-season dry spell of two weeks can cause widespread agricultural distress.
Why this is interesting
Every year, millions of farmers in India and its neighbors watch the sky with a single anxious question: when will the monsoon arrive? That arrival date can make the difference between a bountiful harvest and total crop failure.