“It rained this afternoon” describes weather. “This region usually gets most rain in these months” describes a climate pattern when supported by many years of records. Climate summaries commonly use periods of 30 years.

Seasons repeat through the year; their weather patterns differ by region. India also has traditional six-ritu calendars: vasanta, grishma, varsha, sharad, hemanta and shishir. One season’s unusual weather does not erase the long-term pattern.

Air moving over warm, dry land can bring heat and dryness. Air arriving from the sea may carry moisture. Wind does not produce rain just by being moist: rising and cooling help vapour condense into cloud droplets.

Mountains can force moist air upward. It expands and cools, helping clouds and rain form on the windward side. Air descending on the other side can be drier, producing a rain-shadow region. The Western Ghats help create this contrast.

Warm ocean water supplies moisture and energy. Rising moist air, cloud formation and organised circulation can help a storm grow when other conditions are suitable. Rotation influences the swirling pattern; not every cloud cluster develops into a cyclone.

A strong cyclone may have a relatively calm eye surrounded by a dangerous eyewall. Hazards include strong wind, heavy rain and coastal storm surge. A lull is not permission to go outside; follow official local instructions.

Cleaner energy, efficient buildings, public transport and protecting forests can reduce emissions. Planting trees alone cannot replace cutting fossil-fuel emissions. Lasting improvements need choices by governments, businesses and communities as well as individuals.

Heat plans, water conservation, resilient crops and safer drainage help people manage impacts: this is adaptation. Some actions do both, such as well-designed urban greenery that stores carbon and provides shade. Explain the mechanism, not just the label.