CLIMATE

QUESTION AND ANSWER

1. Distinguish between Weather and Climate.
Weather: Weather is the state of atmosphere at a given place and time with regard to its
humidity, temperature, precipitation, pressure, winds and state of the sky.
Climate: Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions over a large area for a long
period of time.

2. Mention the main elements of weather and climate.

Temperature, humidity, pressure, precipitation and wind are the main elements of weather and
climate.

3. Describe the regional variations in the climatic conditions of India with the help of
suitable examples.
(or)
“India has a diverse climate” Explain India has a diverse climate.
Temperature and rainfall conditions vary from place to place and time to time.
(i.) Temperature is about 50°c in some parts of Rajasthan during summer, whereas it is around
20°c in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
(ii) In winter, temperature is as low as -45°c at Drass in Jammu and Kashmir. During the same
time temperature in Thiruvananthapuram is around 22°c.
(iii) Himalayan region receives precipitation in the form of snowfall, whereas it rains in the other
parts of the country.
(iv) Annual precipitation is more than 400 cms in Meghalaya. Western Rajasthan and Ladakh
get less than 10 cm of annual rainfall.
(v)Coastal areas experience moderate climate. Interior parts of the Country experience extreme
climate.

4. What are the controls affecting the climate of India?

(or)
Examine the factors which govern the climate of India.
(or)
Explain any three factors controlling the Indian climatic conditions.
(or)
Explain the major determiners of the climate of a place.
(I) LATITUDE : Tropic of cancer passes through the middle of India and divides the country into
two equal parts. North India is in the subtropical region and South India in the tropical region.
So, Indian climate has both tropical and subtropical characteristics.
(ii)ALTITUDE: Temperature decreases with increase in altitude. So, the hilly areas experience
cold climates. The Himalayas block the cold winds coming from Central Asia and protect North
India from extreme cold in winter.
(iii) SURFACE WINDS: India is in the belt of dry north east trade winds. So we experience dry
climate for a major part of the year. The monsoon winds which prevail over India for a short
period of four months cause rain fall.
(iv) JET STREAMS: jet streams are fast flowing winds which blow in the lower part of the
stratosphere. In winter, a westerly jet stream blows over India. It brings cyclones from
Mediterranean Sea. In summer, an easterly jet stream prevails over India. It gives cooling
effects to the clouds and cause sudden rainfall.
(v)Coastal areas experience moderate climate. Interior parts of the Country experience extreme
climate.
5. What are the controls affecting the climate of India?
(or)
Examine the factors which govern the climate of India.
(or)
Explain any three factors controlling the Indian climatic conditions.
(or)
Explain the major determiners of the climate of a place.
(I) LATITUDE : Tropic of cancer passes through the middle of India and divides the country into
two equal parts. North India is in the the subtropical region and South India in the tropical
region. So, Indian climate has both tropical and subtropical characteristics.
(ii)ALTITUDE: Temperature decreases with increase in altitude. So, the hilly areas experience
cold climate. The Himalayas block the cold winds coming from Central Asia and protect North
India from extreme cold in winter.
(iii) SURFACE WINDS: India is in the belt of dry north east trade winds. So we experience dry
climate for a major part of the year. The monsoon winds which prevail over India for a short
period of four months cause rain fall.
(iv) JET STREAMS: Jet Streams are fast flowing winds which blow in the lower part of the
stratosphere. In winter, a westerly jet stream blows over India. It brings cyclones from the
Mediterranean Sea. In summer, an easterly jet stream prevails over India. It gives cooling
effects to the clouds and cause sudden rainfall.

6. What are Jet Streams? How do they affect the climate of India?
OR
How is the climate of India influenced by upper air circulation?
Jet streams are fast flowing winds which blow in the lower part of the stratosphere. In winter, a
westerly jet stream blows over India. It brings cyclones from the Mediterranean Sea. In summer,
an easterly jet stream prevails over India. It gives cooling effects to the clouds and causes
sudden rainfall.

7. What is called the burst of the monsoon?

The sudden arrival of monsoon winds is associated with violent thunder and heavy rainfall. It is
called the burst of the monsoons.

8. Define the term Monsoon. Differentiate between break and burst of monsoons.
The word monsoon originated from the Arabic word ‘mausim’ which means season. Monsoons
are seasonal winds which reverse their direction with the change in season.The sudden arrival
monsoon winds are associated with violent thunder and heavy rainfall. It is called burst of the
monsoons.The monsoon rains do not occur continuously. Few days of wet spell is followed by
few days of dry spell. It is called break of the monsoons.

9. Explain the general weather conditions in the Cold Weather season.

( OR)
State the main characteristic features of the Cold Weather Season.
● Cold weather season is experienced from mid-November to the end of February.
● Temperature decreases from south to north. Days are warm and nights are cold.
North-east trade winds prevail over India. So, this season is dry.
● North-east trade winds blow over Bay of Bengal before entering Tamil Nadu coast. So,
Tamil Nadu gets winter rain.
● A feeble high pressure area develops over the northern plain.
● India experiences fine weather conditions with clear sky, low temperature, low humidity
and cool winds.
● These fine weather conditions are frequently disturbed by the shallow cyclones coming
from the Mediterranean Sea. They cause rainfall in the north-western parts of the
country

10. Explain the general weather conditions in the Hot Weather season.
● March, April and May are the summer months in India.
● The belt of highest temperature shifts from south to north.
● Towards the end of May due to high temperature, an elongated low pressure area
develops over the northern plains.
● Hot and dry local winds called Loo blow over northern plains.
● Cool and moist dust storms blow in some parts of the northern plains.
● They cause heavy rainfall. Violent winds called kalbaisakhi blow over west Bengal.
● Pre monsoon showers called mango showers occur in Kerala and Karnataka towards the end
of May.

11. Explain the general weather condition in the Advancing Monsoon season.
● June, July, August and September constitute the advancing monsoon season.
● Low pressure area gets intensified due to an increase in temperature.
● It attracts the southeast trade winds.
● These winds cross the equator and
blow towards India.
● Now they are called southeast monsoon winds.
● Indian peninsula divides these winds into two branches- Arabian sea branch and Bay of
Bengal branch.
● Arabian Sea branch reach Kerala in early June and cause heavy rainfall
under influence of the western ghats.
● It blows over the Deccan plateau and reaches the northern plains.
● The Bay of Bengal branch is directed towards the Myanmar coast .
● The Arakan Mountains, located parallel to Myanmar coast, deflect the wind towards the
north eastern part of India.
● Here, the wind cause heavy rainfall under the influence of the purvanchal mountains.
● Then the wind blows over the Ganga Plain.

12. Give an account of the Retreating Monsoon season.

(OR)
What do you mean by transitional season? Explain the term October Heat.
● During October- November temperature decreases over the Northern Plain.
● So the intensity of low pressure area decreases.
● This leads to the withdrawal of monsoons from India. October and November form a
period of transition from hot and wet season to cold and dry season.
● Due to high temperature and high humidity the weather becomes oppressive. This is
called October heat.
● Low pressure conditions get shifted to Bay of Bengal. This leads to the formation of
cyclone

13. Briefly explain the distribution of rainfall in India.

● Western coast and north eastern India receive more than 400 cms of annual rainfall.
● Western Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat, Haryana,Punjab and Leh receive less than
60cms of annual rainfall.
● Remaining parts of India get moderate rainfall.
14. Why is the distribution of rainfall in India uneven?
(OR)
Rainfall is unevenly distributed in India. Justify.
(OR)
Why is the distribution of rainfall not uniform in India?
(OR)
Why is the annual rainfall in India highly variable? Give reasons.
(i) Western slopes of the Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall because it is located in the
windward side, where as its eastern slopes get low rainfall because it is a rain shadow region.
(ii) North Eastern states get heavy rainfall because the Bay of Bengal Branch of the monsoon
winds are forced to cause rain by the Purvanchal Mountains.
(iii) Western Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat, Haryana,Punjab and Leh receive less than 60cms
of annual rainfall.
(iv) North West India gets low rain because there is no relief feature to block the moisture
bearing winds. Aravallies are located parallel to the wind direction.
(v) The remaining parts of the country gets moderate rainfall.
(vi) Interior parts of Deccan Plateau get low rain because the wind becomes dry when it reaches
there.

15. Why do Western Ghats get more rainfall than Eastern Ghats?
The Arabian Sea Branch of the South – West Monsoon Winds first reach the Western Ghats.
These mountains force the winds to rise up and shed theirmoisture. So Western Ghats get
heavy rainfall. The winds which reach the Eastern Ghats are dry winds. Moreover Eastern
Ghats are low mountains. They cannot
force the wind to shed moisture.

16.Why is the monsoon considered a unifying bond?

India has diverse climate. The monsoon winds provide unity in diversity to the climate of India.
(i) monsoon provide a rhythmic cycle of seasons to the entire India
(ii) The Indian landscape, its animal and plant life, its agricultural calendar and the life of the
people are influenced by the monsoons.
(iii) All over India people wait for the arrival of monsoons to start agricultural operations.

17. Why does India have a monsoon type of climate?

India has a monsoon type of climate because:
(i)A major part of India is located in the monsoon region, i.e. between 20 degree N and
20 degree S.
(ii) A highly intense low pressure area develops over the northern plains during summer.
(iii) Pressure is high over the Indian Ocean in summer.

18. Which part of India experiences the highest diurnal range of temperature? Why?
North-Western India experiences the highest diurnal range of temperature. This region is
covered by huge quantities of sand. Sand absorbs heat quickly during day time. So, day
temperature is very high. Sand gives out heat quickly at night. So, night temperature is very low.

19. Which winds account for rainfall in the Malabar Coast?

South-West monsoon winds.

20. What are Jet Streams and how do they affect the climate of India?
Jet Streams are fast flowing winds, which blow in the lower part of stratosphere.
(i) Westerly Jet Streams bring cyclones from Mediterranean Sea in winter.
(ii)Easterly Jet Streams give cooling effect to the clouds and cause sudden rainfall in summer.

21. Define monsoons. What do you understand by break in monsoon?

Monsoons are seasonal winds which reverse their direction with the change inseason.
Monsoon rains do not occur continuously. Few days of wet spell is followed by few days of dry
spell. This is because of the Northward and South ward movement of the monsoon low
pressure trough.

22. Why does rainfall decrease from east to west in Northern India?
Bay of Bengal branch of the south-west monsoon winds reach the North-Eastern
parts of Indian in June. Here, they cause heavy rainfall under the influence of the Purvanchal
Mountains . Then, the wind blows towards the west along the Ganga plain. Wind becomes dry
when it moves towards the west. So, the amount of rainfall decreases.

23. Why does the seasonal reversal of wind direction take place over the India subcontinent?
In summer, land gets heated up quickly. So, low pressure conditions prevail over land. Sea is
heated up slowly. So, high pressure conditions prevail over sea. Wind blows from sea to land. In
winter, land cools down quickly. High pressure conditions prevail over land. Sea cools slowly.
So, low pressure conditions prevail over sea. Wind blows from land to sea.

24. The bulk of rainfall in India is concentrated over a few months. Why?
North-East trade winds blow over India for a major part of the year. These winds are land
bearing and dry. So, India has a long dry season. The south-west monsoon winds prevail over
India for a period of four months. They are the moist winds coming from the sea. They cause
rainfall.

25. Why does the Tamil Nadu coast get winter rainfall?
(i) North-East trade winds blow over Bay of Bengal before entering the coromandel coast of
Tamil Nadu. These winds pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal and cause rainfall in Tamil
Nadu.
(ii) Cyclones are formed over the Bay of Bengal. These cyclones visit Tamil Nadu coast and
cause rainfall.

26. Why is the delta region of the eastern coast frequently struck by cyclones?
Low pressure conditions get shifted from Northern Plains to Bay of Bengal in
October–November. This leads to the formation of cyclones. These cyclones visit east coast
and cause large scale destruction.

27. Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are
drought- prone. Why?
Rajasthan and Gujarat experience day climate because:
(i)There is no relief feature to block the moisture bearing winds. Aravallis are located parallel to
the wind direction.
(ii) Temperature is very high in Rajasthan and Gujarat .So, the wind`s capacity to carry moisture
increases.
Leeward side of the Western Ghats experience dry climate because:
(i)The wind becomes dry when it comes to the leeward side. Moreover, here the wind is coming
down.
(ii) Eastern Ghats are very low mountains. They cannot force the wind to cause rainfall.

28. Give the characteristics and effects of the monsoon rainfall in India.
Or
Explain any three characteristics of the Indian Monsoons.
(i) Monsoon rains are seasonal. They occur only during the period from June to September.
(II) Monsoon rains do not occur continuously. Few days of wet spell is followed by a few days of
dry spell.
(iii) Monsoons are known for their vagaries and uncertainties. Intensity, frequency and duration
of dry and wet spells keep on changing.
(iv) Monsoons are responsible for floods in some regions of the country. They cause drought in
some other regions during the same time.
29. Why are Thiruvananthapuram and Shillong rainier in June than in July?
South-west monsoon winds reach Thiruvananthapuram and Shillong in June and cause heavy
rainfall. In July they extend to the other parts of the country .So, the amount of rainfall
decreases.

30. Why is July rainier in Mumbai than in Thiruvananthapuram?

Monsoon winds reach Thiruvananthapuram in June and cause heavy rainfall. In July they
extend to Mumbai .So, heavy rainfall occurs in Mumbai and rain decreases in
Thiruvananthapuram.

31. Why are the South- West monsoon less rainy in Chennai (Tamil Nadu)?
Chennai is located in the east coast of India. South-West monsoons first reach the Western
coast. When these winds reach the east, they become dry .More over Eastern Ghats are very
low mountains. They cannot force the winds to cause rainfall. So, the South West Monsoons
cause less rain in Chennai.

32. Why is Kolkata rainier in July than in June unlike Shillong which is rainier in June
than in July?
South-west monsoon winds reach shillong in June and cause heavy rainfall .These winds reach
Kolkata only in July. So, Kolkata gets heavy rain in July.

33. Why does Delhi receive more rain than Jodhpur?

Delhi is located east of Jodhpur. Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon winds reach Delhi and
cause rainfall. When the winds reach Jodhpur, they become dry. So, Jodhpur gets less rain.

34. Why does Thiruvananthapuram experience equable climate?

Thiruvananthapuram experience equable climate because:
(i)Thiruvananthapuram is located near to the sea. Seas exert moderating influence over the
climate of coastal areas.
(ii) Thiruvananthapuram is located on a hill.
(iii) Thiruvananthapuram is located near to the equator.

35. "Chennai has more rains only after the fury of monsoons is over in most parts of the
country”. Why?
Most parts of India receive rainfall from
South – West monsoon winds. These winds cause rainfall during the period from June to
September. Chennai gets rainfall during winter from North- East monsoons winds and tropical
cyclones.

36. Jodhpur has a hot desert type of climate. Why?

Or
Why does Western Rajasthan experience hot and dry climate?
Jodhpur is located in the North-Western part of India. Jodhpur experiences hot desert type of
climate because:
There is no relief feature to block the monsoon winds. Aravallis are located parallel to wind
direction.Due to the presence of large quantities of sand, temperature is very high. So, the
wind's capacity to carry moisture increases.

37. Leh has moderate precipitation almost throughout the year- Why?
Leh is located in the northern most part of India. Monsoon winds carry less moisture when they
reach Leh. So, they cause moderate rain. In winter, the Western disturbances cause moderate
rainfall in Leh.

38. While in Delhi and Jodhpur most of the rain is confined to nearly three months, in
Thiruvananthapuram and Shillong it is almost nine months of the year. Why?
Monsoon winds are responsible for the occurrence of rainfall in India. They prevail over
Thiruvananthapuram and Shillong for a period of nine months. Delhi and Jodhpur come under
the influence of these winds only for 3 months. So, Thiruvananthapuram and Shillong get
rainfall for 9 months, whereas, Delhi and Jodhpur receive rainfall only for 3 months.

39. Explain the following terms:

(I) Southern Oscillation [El Nino Southern Oscillation or ENSO]:
When the atmospheric pressure is high over Pacific Ocean, it is low over the Indian Ocean and
vice versa. This causes the movement of air from South to North and North to south across the
equator. It is called southern oscillation.
(II) El Nino-: In every 2 to 5 years Peruvian cold current is replaced by a warm current. This is
called El Nino.

40. Differentiate cold weather season and hot weather season of India by explaining two
distinctive features of each.
Hot Weather season.
March, April and May are the summer months in India. The belt of highest temperature shifts
from south to north. Towards the end of May due to high temperature, an elongated low
pressure area develops over the northern plains. Hot and dry local winds called Loo blow over
northern plains. Cool and moist dust storms blow in some parts of the northern
plains. They cause heavy rainfall. Violent winds called kalbaisakhi blow over west Bengal. Pre
monsoon showers called mango showers occur in Kerala and Karnataka towards the end of
May.
Cold Weather season.
Cold weather season is experienced from mid-November to the end of February.
Temperature decreases from south to north. Days are warm and nights are cold.
North-east trade winds prevail over India. So, this season is dry. North-east trade winds blow
over Bay of Bengal before entering Tamil Nadu coast. So, Tamil Nadu gets winter rain. A feeble
high pressure area develops over northern plain. India experiences fine weather conditions with
clear sky, low temperature, low humidity and cool winds. These fine weather conditions are
frequently disturbed by the shallow cyclones coming from Mediterranean Sea. They cause
rainfall in the north-western parts of the country.
41. Explain what is monsoon? Name the two branches of Monsoon and explain any one
of them.
Monsoons are seasonal winds which reverse their direction with the change in season.
Indian peninsula divides these winds into two branches- Arabian Sea branch and
Bay of Bengal branch.
Arabian Sea branch reach Kerala in early June and cause heavy rainfall under influence of the
Western Ghats. It blows over Deccan plateau
and reaches the northern plains. Bay of Bengal branch is directed towards the Myanmar coast.
The Arakan Mountains, located parallel to Myanmar coast, deflect the wind towards the north
eastern part of India. Here, the wind causes heavy rainfall under the influence of the Purvanchal
Mountains. Then the wind blows over the ganga plain.
42. Write any two characteristics of Arabian Sea branch of the South West Monsoon
Winds.
Arabian Sea branch reach Kerala in early June and cause heavy rainfall under influence of the
Western Ghats. It blows over Deccan plateau and reaches the northern plains.

43. Why does North- West India receives rainfall in winter?

Shallow cyclones called Western Disturbances coming from the Mediterranean Sea cause
rainfall in the North-Western parts of the country in winter. They are brought to India by the Jet
Stream. Withdrawing monsoon winds also cause rainfall in this region.

44. Why does Mumbai receive more rainfall in summer while Chennai receives rainfall in
winter?
Mumbai is located along the western coast of India. It is in the wind ward side of the Western
Ghats. The Arabian Sea branch of the South West Monsoon winds is forced to rise up by the
Western Ghats. This leads to heavy
rainfall.Chennai is located along the eastern coast of India. South West Monsoon winds
become dry when they reach Chennai. So Chennai does not get rain in summer.
The South – East Monsoon winds blow over Bay of Bengal and enter Chennai during winter.
These winds cause rain fall.

45. Explain the importance of Monsoon rains of India.

India would have become a desert if monsoon were absent. India receives 75% to 90% of rain
fall from monsoon winds. Indian agriculture completely depends on monsoon rains. Peninsular
rivers receive their water from the
monsoon rainfall.

46. How is Arabian Sea branch of South West Monsoons responsible for good rainfall in
the Northern Plains of India? Why it does not cause rainfall in Central Peninsula?
Arabian Sea branch of the South West Monsoons reach the Gujarat coast.
They are not obstructed by any relief feature in Gujarat or Rajasthan. So, with full of moisture
they enter the Northern Plains and cause good amount of rainfall in Northern Plains.
Arabian Sea branch of the South West Monsoons reach the western coast. The
Western Ghats force the winds to shed moisture. The winds become dry when
they come to Central Peninsula. So, the Central Peninsula does not get much rainfall.

47. Explain the following terms:

(i) Loo: Hot and dry winds which blow in the northern plains during summer are
called loo. They are dangerous because they cause sun stroke.
(ii) Kalbaisakhi: Dangerous winds which blow in Assam and West Bengal during
summer are called Kalbaishaki. They cause heavy rainfall and a lot of destruction.

48. How do the Himalayas influence the climate of India?

(i) The Himalayas block the cold winds coming from the Arctic Circle and protect North India
from extreme cold in winter.
(ii) The Himalayas block the Monsoon winds and force them to cause rainfall in India.
(iii) Because of the Himalayas the entire India experiences a Tropical climate.

49. Where is Mawsynram located? Why does Mawsynram experience the highest amount
of rainfall?
Mawsynram is located in the southern part of the Khasi hills in the state of Meghalaya.
It receives heavy rainfall because:
(i) It is surrounded by hills on three sides.
(ii) The mountain hills provide a funnel shaped location to this place.
(iii) The Bay of Bengal Branch of the South – West Monsoon winds reach here and cause heavy
rainfall under the influence of hills.

50. Which parts of India are mainly affected by the Jet Streams?
(i) Westerly Jet Streams bring cyclones to the North and North – Western parts of India
(ii) Easterly Jet Strems blow over the peninsular region of India.

51. How does the change in pressure

conditions over the southern ocean affect
the monsoon?
OR
How does the Southern Oscillation affect the Monsoons?
When the atmospheric pressure is high over Pacific Ocean, it is low over Indian Ocean and vice
versa. This causes the movement of air from South to North and North to south across the
equator. It is called southern oscillation. The intensity of the Southern Oscillation
influence the monsoon winds.

52. “Location and relief are the major factors which determine the climate of India”. Explain.
(i) Southern part of India is located in the tropical region. This region experiences
tropical climate. Northern part of India is in the sub – tropical region. This region experiences
sub- tropical climate.
(ii) Himalayas block the cold chilly winds coming from the North and protects India from extreme
cold in winter.
(iii) Kerala and Karnataka coast get heavy rainfall due to the influence of the Western Ghats.
(iv) Ooty and Kodaikanal are located near to the equator but they experience cool climate due to
high relief.
(v)Coastal areas experience moderate climate because they are located close to the Sea.

53. Why does rainfall decrease from west to east in the Northern Plains?
i) The Bay of Bengal Branch of the South -West Monsoon winds first reach the eastern part of
the Northern Plains. Here they cause heavy rainfall under the influence of the Purvanchal
Mountains.
(ii) The wind becomes dry as it moves towards the west. So, rainfall decreases.
(iii) Western part does not have relief features to force the wind to cause rainfall.

54.. Why does rainfall increase from west to east in the Peninsula?
(i)The Arabian Sea Branch of the South – West Monsoon winds first reach the western part of
the Peninsula. Here they cause heavy rainfall under the influence of the Western Ghats.
(ii) The wind becomes dry as it moves towards the east. So, rainfall decreases.
(iii) Eastern Ghats are very low mountains. They cannot force the winds to cause rainfall.

55. Explain the term Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. Mention its characteristics.
Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is the region where direct sun rays fall.
Temperature is very high and pressure is very low in this region. It keeps on moving north ward
and southward according to the apparent movement of the Sun. winds blow around this region.

56. What is El – Nino? What are its features?

In every 2-5 years Peruvian cold current is replaced by a warm current.This is called
El Nino.
(i) El-Nino increases the temperature of the Ocean surface.
(ii) It weakens the trade winds.
(iii) it causes floods in some places and droughts in some other places.
(iv) Sometimes, it is responsible for bad monsoons in India.

57. “Pressure and wind conditions over India are unique”. Support this statement by
giving examples.
(i) During winter high pressure develops over the northern plains. Light winds blow outwards
from this high pressure region.
(ii) In summer a powerful low pressure belt develops over the northern plains. This low pressure
attracts the South – East trade winds. These winds after crossing the equator blow from south –
west direction and they are called South – West Monsoon winds.
(iii) A complete reversal of wind direction takes place every year over India.
(iv) Upper air currents called Jet streams influence the climate of India.
(v) Cyclones coming from Mediterranean Sea provide rainfall to the North –Western parts of
India in winter.

58. Distinguish between South-West and

North-East Monsoons
South-West Monsoon.
These winds blow during the advancing monsoon season(June to September)
They are blowing from Sea to Land.
They cause heavy rainfall.
They are high velocity winds
North-East Monsoon.
These winds blow during the cold
weather season( December to February)
They are blowing from the Land.
They cause rain only in coramandel coast.
They are low velocity winds

59. Why is it said that monsoon wind is known for its uncertainties? Explain.
OR
“Monsoons are known for their vagaries and uncertainties.” .Explain
(i) Some years monsoons come early and some years they are late. In withdrawal
also they are irregular.
(ii) In some places monsoons cause floods and they are responsible for droughts in some other
places.
(iii) The duration and intensity of wet and dry spells keep changing.
(iv) The northward and southward movements of the low pressure area influence the intensity of
monsoons.

60. What are called Western Disturbances? How do they influence the climate of India?
Western Disturbances are shallow cyclones coming from the Mediterranean Sea. They are
brought to India during winter by the Westerly Jet Stream. They cause light rainfall in the North
Western part of the Northern Plains, This rain helps in the growth of rabi crops.They cause
heavy snowfall in the Himalayas. This supplies water to the rivers in dry periods.