Rainfall in India has varied patterns both spatially and temporally . While in June- September , India received more than average rainfall (75% in 3 months ) in comparison to rest 9 months with only 25% of rainfall .

* Spatial variations :-
In India , many places receive more than above average rainfall and some places receive less than average rainfall . The average rainfall in India is 125 cm.

1. The areas having high rainfall in India are the Western ghats ,Northeast, Hills of Meghalaya and the sub himalayan areas . Here the rainfall generally exceeds the average rainfall ,that is , greater than 125cm . e.g. -In Meghalaya, Cherrapunji and Mausynram of Khasi hills receive maximum rainfall of India ,that is , above 400 cm .
2. The areas with medium rainfall (100-200cm ) include the central parts of India having parts of Gujarat , Maharashtra , Madhya pradesh etc.
3. Low rainfall areas (50-100 cm) include areas of Deccan plateau ,Delhi , Punjab , Haryana etc.
4. There are areas which receive very low or inadequate rainfall ( less than 50cm ) . These areas are called arid areas and include western Rajasthan, peninsular region etc.

*Temporal variations:-

1. In India the time of June to Sept records 75% of the total rainfall of India . Hence this time of the year in India is called as monsoon periods lasting for about 3 months .
2. Rest of the 9 months in India receive only 25% of the total rainfall.

*Factors responsible for these variations:- 

1. South west monsoon – The arrival time of south -west monsoon in India is the last days of May in the Andaman and Nicobar and its departure time is mid- october . Hence much of the rainfall occurs in India during this periods only
2. North east monsoon –This period arrives in winters in India majorly in eastern coast ,that is, Tamil Nadu coast and its surrounding area only . Hence this will bring a little bit of monsoon in India during the rest part of monsoon period .
3. ENSO :- El- Nino southern oscillation is a climatic phenomenon related to changes in sea temperature of central and eastern tropical Pacific ocean .

• El -Nino corresponds to suppressed monsoon in Indian ocean area
• La- Nina corresponds to stronger monsoon in Indian ocean area.
• Neutral phase corresponds to normal monsoon in Indian ocean area.

Rainfall in India is a very varied phenomenon in India as India have all climatic regions due to its geographic position in the sub tropical to temperate region on the world map . We witness extreme rainfall to inadequate rainfall due to various factors which also vary according to the climatic conditions .