Women seek shelter as a dust storm sears the arid plains of Rajasthan, India. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

Young boys, herding water buffalo's, wear 'ghum', straw umbrellas as rain shields, near Pokhara, Nepal. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

On the street in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi, during the monsoon. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

Instead of pedaling, a driver pushes his rickshaw, during the monsoon in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

A dog keeps dry during the monsoon, Porbandar, India. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

A tailor carries his sewing machine, during the monsoon, Porbandar, India. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

A businessman on his way to work during the monsoon in Porbandar, India. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

Ritual bath to cleanse karma in the Bagmati River during the Teej Festival, Kathmandu, Nepal. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

Duckweed carpets the water in a girl's front yard, during the monsoon in Bojonegoro, Java, Indonesia. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

For this Indonesian family in Bojonegoro, the show goes on. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

Homeless girl, during the monsoon in Bombay, India. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

Girls huddle under a rice basket to escape the rain, during the monsoon on Java, Indonesia. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

The East Alligator River during the Monsoon in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

A boys slips in the mud as paddy fields are prepared, during the monsoon, Sulawesi, Indonesia. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

Herding ducks, during the monsoon on Java, Indonesia. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

Man pushes his bike through a flooded street during the monsoon season in India. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

A banana leaf serves as an umbrella for a boy herding water buffalo, during the monsoon in Kathmandu, Nepal. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

Children in the monsoon rains on Bali, Indonesia. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

An aborigine carries glowing embers home, during the monsoon in the Northern Territory, Australia. For half the world's people, monsoons remain life's critical uncertainty with their destructive effects as well as blessings.

Humor - 1st prize