Reply To: Saying Mashiv HaRuach in the Southern Hemisphere

Our minhag is based on a number of points.
1- We are all connected to one place- our Homeland.
2- Although the Talmud says that in Babylon we need less rain aand begin later, this was not meant to create a new time period for every area in golus, just simply to divide between those living in Israel and those not.Remember the gemara tells us that the main rain is in Israel while the rest is the extra.So even outside Israel the prayer is mainly for our land and that the extra should come our way in its proper time.The different starting time is just a reminder that we are not home.
3-Yes, there is an opinion, the Rosh, to follow your specific area, but even he admits that his opinion was not accepted.
4-No, someone living in the southern hemisphere or the like is never obligated in ” shma koleinu” to pray for rain during his rainy season, although it is recommended.
5- Bavel always represents exile,as in the prayer of yikum purkan said on Shabbos.