The monsoon of South Asia is one of the world's monsoons, affecting the Indian subcontinent. Because of its effect on agriculture, on flora and fauna, and on the climates of nations including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the monsoon is one of the most anticipated, tracked and studied weather phenomena in the region. The southwest monsoon generally starts on the western coast of India at the beginning of June, and runs through to the beginning of October. Its cause is only partly understood and it is notoriously difficult to predict, with several theories proposed to explain its origin and process. These two panoramic photographs, taken three months apart in 2010 from the same location, show a view of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, India, during the dry season in late May (top) and during the peak of the South Asian monsoon in late August (bottom).Photograph credit: Arne Hückelheim