India, Feb. 13 -- New research suggests that desert winds from the west and northwest of India can be used to predict monsoon break periods, offering a potential early warning system for farmers.

These breaks, characterised by reduced rainfall, can significantly impact agriculture.

The study analysed data from 1940 to 2023, highlighting the importance of monitoring dry winds for better agricultural planning.

The South West Monsoon (SWM) brings more than 75 per cent of India's rainfall between June and September. But it is characterised by break periods within that period when rains stop in most of the country and increase in the foothills of the Himalayas and the Northeast.

These monsoon break periods are caused by dry winds that flow...