CLIMATE

Areas to be covered in this unit

• Characteristic of climate: Arid, semi-arid, humid, highland & Seasonal variations.
• Sources of rainfall: Monsoon, western depressions, convectional rain, relief rainfall,
thunderstorms and cyclones (typhoons).
• Distribution of: rainfall and temperature.
• Influence of latitude and longitude on: day length and climate.
• influence of the climate (both the benefits it brings and the problems it causes) on
the economy and on the lives of the people:
• Low temperature, ice and snow on: the lives of people in the mountains.
• Rain storms and flooding on: agriculture, industry and communications.
• Problems caused by drought and shortage of water supply on: agriculture and
industry.

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CLIMATIC ZONES
&
TEMPERATURE

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CLIMATE
Temperature Key

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CLIMATE
Climatic Zones of Pakistan

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 CLIMATE
A – Highland Climate:
Region: Northern, North-Western
Winter: Very Cold to Cold
Summer: Mild
Rainfall: in all seasons

A – Highland Climate:
Region: Western
Winter: Cool to Cold
Summer: Mild to Warm
Rainfall: Winter
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 CLIMATE
B – Lowland Climate:
Region: Whole of Indus Plain
not included: Coastal Areas
Winter: Cool
Summer: Hot (Upper Sindh and Southern part is VERY HOT)
Rainfall: Summer Monsoon
Foothills of Northern Mountains & Potwar Plateau
wetter than Indus Plain, also receives
rainfall by western depression.

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 CLIMATE
C – Coastal Climate:
Region: Coastal strip, Indus Delta, Karachi, Makran Coast
Winter: Mild
Summer: Warm
Rainfall: Scanty, mostly during Summer Monsoon

Major Climatic Feature:

Maritime Influence
(Effects of Sea)

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CLIMATE
C – Coastal Climate
Maritime Effect

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 CLIMATE
D – Arid Climate:
Region: South-Western Baluchistan, South-Eastern Desert
Winter: Mild
Summer: Hot
Rainfall: Scanty

Major Climatic Feature:

• Dry & Hot
• Extreme Heat
• Dust Storms

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CLIMATE

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CLIMATIC ELEMENTS

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS

Pressure &
Temperature Rainfall
Winds
• Latitudinal Effect • Monsoon
• Continental Effect • Western
• Altitude Depression
• Cloud Cover • Convectional
• Angle of Sun Current
• Relief Rainfall
• Tropical Cyclones

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TEMPERATURE

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CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: TEMPERATURE
Latitudinal Effect

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CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: TEMPERATURE
Continental Effect

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CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: TEMPERATURE
Altitude Effect on Temperature

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CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: TEMPERATURE
Altitude Effect on Temperature

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CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: TEMPERATURE
Cloud Cover Effect on Temperature

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CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: TEMPERATURE
Angle of Sun: Effect on Temperature

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: TEMPERATURE
Explain two factors that affect winter temperatures in Pakistan. [4]
Angle of the sun
• As the overhead sun moves to the southern hemisphere / over Tropic of
Capricorn, rays
• spread over a larger area

Altitude / height of the land

• As this increases temperatures decrease
• Air is less dense so holds less heat / heat radiated from the surface decreases
with altitude

Continental / maritime effect

• Land loses heat in winter
• No moderating sea winds

2 marks for each factor

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SOURCES OF:
RAINFALL

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CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: RAINFALL
Monsoon (July – September)

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: RAINFALL
Monsoon (July – September)
(b) Study Fig. 9, which shows the distribution of monsoon rainfall in Pakistan.

(i) Name the areas of high rainfall A and B. [2]

A – South / lower / south-east Sindh
B – North / upper / central Punjab
(ii) Name the body of water that is the source of moisture for the monsoon winds X and Y.
[2]
X – Bay of Bengal
Y – Arabian Sea

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: RAINFALL
Monsoon (July – September)
(a) Describe the route of the main monsoon across Pakistan. [3]
East to west / from NE / from East
From Bay of Bengal / Northern India
Across Punjab / upper Indus Plain
Towards the Northern Areas / mountains / interior Asia

(b) Why does Peshawar receive less rainfall during monsoon. [2]
Tail end reaches which is less effective
Looses moisture after a long travelling from Bay of Bengal.

(ii) Explain why heavy rain falls during the monsoon season. [3]
moisture-bearing/wet winds/carrying rain from the sea/Bay of Bengal.
rise over land/hills/mountains cools moisture condenses/clouds form.
low pressure (over northern Pakistan) brings air in.

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CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: RAINFALL
Western Depression (December – March)

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: RAINFALL
Western Depression (December – March)

• Western Depression are the cyclones which originate in Mediterranean Sea.

• They travel across Afghanistan and Iran and then reach the western part of
Pakistan.
• The moisture in the air is evaporated causing rainfall.

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CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: RAINFALL
Convectional Currents (April – June)

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: RAINFALL
Convectional Currents (April – June)
• Hot air rises during summer.
• It reaches the high layer of atmosphere.
• Condensation takes place causing rainfall.
• Strong winds accompanying the storms may pick up dust with them.
Areas that receive rainfall from Convectional Currents:
• Only northern and north western areas of Pakistan.
Areas that don’t receive rainfall from Convectional Currents:
• Southern Pakistan
Reason:
More hot than the northern areas and variety in temperature causes criss cross
system of winds which does not allow condensation resulting in less rainfall.

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: RAINFALL
Convectional Currents (April – June)
Areas that don’t receive rainfall from Convectional Currents: Southern Pakistan
Reason: More hot than the northern areas experience less rainfall because of temperature inversion layer.

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: RAINFALL
Relief Rainfall (Northern Mountains only)
• Relief rainfall is related to the height of land.
• It occurs where moist unstable air moves up a mountain edge and it is chilled.
• Then heavy condensation takes place and rainfall occurs.

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: RAINFALL
Tropical Cyclones (Coastal areas only)

• Tropical cyclones: bring heavy rainfall for few hours and can cause a lot
of destruction.
• They originate: in Arabian Sea quite often but rarely reach the coast of
Pakistan.
• Therefore, this source of rainfall is totally unreliable.

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EFFECTIVENESS OF
RAINFALL

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: EFECTIVENESS OF RAINFALL
Highland Areas

• The growth of trees is retarded: because of severe cold winters.

• At some places: rivers and torrents also freeze.
• During winter: farming is not practiced and people are involved in indoor activities.
• Transhumance: is also practiced.
• People live there: as nomadic herdsman.
• Many northern areas: are not accessible due to landslides and heavy snowfall.
• Lack of water supply: discourages human settlements.

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: EFECTIVENESS OF RAINFALL
Lowland Areas

• Population: is high in this region.

• There is moderate: rainfall and tolerable temperature.
• People do not rely: on rainfall here except few areas of northern plains /
Potwar region where rain-fed crops are grown.
• In above region (Potwar): canal irrigation is not possible due to dissected
land and undulating feature.
• The remaining lowland area / plain: is drained through four tributaries of
Indus River.
• Economically: it is the most productive region of Pakistan.
• Many crops: are grown here such as millet, wheat, cotton and sugarcane.
• There is a well-developed canal system.

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: EFECTIVENESS OF RAINFALL
Arid Zone

• The rainfall: is very low that's why unique system of karez is established.
• There is little rainfall: from Western Depression and monsoon winds in some
areas.
• The region: is deficient of moisture.
• The temperature: is so extreme that it isn't suitable for habitation or
cultivation.
• The majority of people: are nomadic, they move from one place to another
with their animals in search of water.
• People: wear thick and rough clothes in order to protect them from extreme
heat.
• The deserts have very hot temperature and scanty rainfall.

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 CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: EFECTIVENESS OF RAINFALL
Coastal Areas

• The rainfall: takes place during monsoon season, many tourist visit Karachi in
November and February and most of the social events are held in these months.
• During summer months: tropical cyclones sometimes cause coastal flooding in low-
lying areas resulting in damage to infrastructure.
• Fishing: is nearly impossible when the sea is wild so fishing communities face losses.
• The extent of precipitation: affects the supply of drinking water in Gwadar as it is
rain-dependent.
• The development of Gwadar port: had made it as a major district of Pakistan and
had contributed in the economic development of Baluchistan.
• Economic activities: can be carried out throughout the year because of moderate
climate.
• Farming: is possible in some areas.
• The sea ports: are operational throughout the year
• All types of industries are present here.

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FLOODS

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FLOODS
Causes of Floods

Natural
• Melting of snow during Summer
• Heavy Monsoon Rainfall
Human
• Cutting of the trees on the foothills increase surface run-off
• Failure to strengthen embankments alongside rivers
• Dam failure to store extra water due to less capacity
• Lack of reservoirs

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 FLOODS
Effects of Floods

• The farmers: cannot use the land until the water drains.
• They face: destruction of crops and loss of food supplies.
• The houses: are cut off from the shops and services.
• Mud houses: are damaged badly and destroyed in some cases.
• Water-borne diseases: are spread in the area.
• The transport system: is severely affected, roads and railway tracks are damaged and
old routes are difficult to follow because they are drained with water.

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 FLOODS
Benefits of Floods

• Floods return nutrients: to the land and contribute to the health of wetlands.
• Floods distribute: rich sediments and refresh stream.
• Floods spread a layer: of alluvium which increases the fertility.
• The high level of fish production: because of nutrients rich delta attribute to Arabian
Sea.
• Floods recharge: the ground water supplies.

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 FLOODS
How to reduce the risk of floods?

• Planting more trees: on foothills to keep check of the flow of water.

• Build levees: in order to prevent the spread of floodwater.
• Building reservoirs: on the river to store water and control peak discharge.
• Preventing building: in floodplains.
• Building extra channels: to take flood water away from the town.
• Using less greenhouse gases and reducing pollution: in order to stop global warming
which is one of the major causes of floods.
• Flood warning: should be given through media.
• Floodwater: must be drained out and providing facilities to the refugees.

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 FLOODS
Precautions?

• During monsoon season people: must move to higher places in order to protect their
livestock.
• Local residents: should be moved to safer places and alternative arrangements
should be made for the basic necessities of life.
• The transport authorities: should prepare a precaution plan and tell the transporters
about the alternative ways.
• Roads and railway tracks: must be repaired on an emergency basis.

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DROUGHT

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 DROUGHT
Drought & its Types
Drought : is an extended period when a region notes a deficiency in its water
supply and lack of rainfall (A severe shortage of water).
There are four ways of categorizing drought.

Permanent drought: Exists when crop cultivation is not possible without

irrigation. (Thal, Cholistan, Chagai)

Seasonal drought: Occurs in areas with well-defined rainy and dry season.
(Southern Punjab)

Invisible drought: It is the result of a water deficiency that reduces crop yields
but is not severe.

Unpredictable drought: It is the result of abnormally low rainfall.

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DROUGHT
Causes of Drought

Natural
• Unreliability of monsoon winds may lead to seasonal drought.
• The dry and hot winds can reduce the moisture contents of sandy soil.
• Global climate is constantly changing leading to changes in Pakistan's
climate.
Human
• Deforestation on foothills increase soil erosion and reduces rainfall.
• Mismanagement of water resources through seepage of unlined canals.
• The disputed and unfair distribution of water may lead to drought due to
shortage of water.
• Over grazing of land, leading to soil erosion which reduces soil fertility.
• Global warming leading to climate changes.

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DROUGHT
Effects of Drought
ON PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
• Desertification: The land turns into a desert.
• The soil is exposed, leading to soil erosion.
• Many species are extinct: because of lack of food.
• The loss of vegetation: results in low precipitation, leading to rise in temperature as well.
• Drying up of rivers, lakes and streams: Harm to fisheries and other aquatic life.
• Drop in water table: less water available to plants and humans from ground water
resources.
ON HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
• Widespread famine: leading to starvation, malnutrition and loss of lives.
• Migration: Nomadic lifestyle
• Economy: Crop failure, death of livestock, shortage of raw material for industries, reduced
exports (earning) and increase in imports (expenditure) devastate the economy.

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 DROUGHT
Drought Management
• Water storage schemes: reservoirs and dams should be built in order to store
water and some traditional methods should also be utilized in order to store
water.
• The areas that receive heavy rainfall can utilize the water through perennial
canal system. More projects are required in order to meet the needs of
people.
• New Technology: desalination process should be used (the removal of salt).
• The conversion of waste water in to clean water through chemical
treatment.
• Drought-resistant seeds: should be used for crop cultivation which consume
less water.
• The allocation of water: High priority should be given to provide it to
industrial areas and to meet the basic needs of people.

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