CLIMATE

CLASS IX
GEOGRAPHY
(ii) Why does India have a monsoon type of climate?
Answer:
The climate of India is described as the ‘monsoon’ type. Monsoon refers to the
seasonal reversal in the wind direction during a year.
The monsoon type of climate is characterised by a distinct seasonal pattern.
The weather conditions greatly change from one season to the other. These
changes are particularly noticeable in the interior parts of the country. The
coastal areas do not experience much variation in temperature, though there is
variation in the rainfall pattern.
Four main seasons can be identified in India – the cold weather season, the hot
weather season, the advancing monsoon and the retreating monsoon with
some regional variations.
The climate of India is strongly influenced by monsoon winds. The duration of
the monsoon is between 100-120 days from early June to mid-September.
(iii) Which part of India does experience the highest diurnal range of
temperature and why?
Answer:
The regions experiencing this phenomenon are in the northwestern part of
India. The reason behind this effect is the Thar desert. Moreover, this region
does not have an ocean to moderate the temperature.
(iv) Which winds account for rainfall along the Malabar Coast?
Answer:
Southwest monsoon winds are responsible for rainfall along the Malabar Coast.
(v) What are Jet streams, and how do they affect the climate of India?
Answer:
Jet Streams are a narrow belt of high altitude (above 12,000 m) westerly winds
in the troposphere. Their speed varies from about 110 km/h in summer to
about 184 km/h in winter. A number of separate jet streams have been
identified.
The most constant is the mid-latitude and subtropical jet stream. They cause
depression during the monsoon season.
(vi) Define monsoons. What do you understand by “break” in monsoon?
Answer:
Monsoon are periodic or seasonal reversing winds. Monsoon tends to have
‘breaks’ in rainfall; which means that there are wet and dry spells in between
The monsoon rains take place only for a few days at a time and then come to
the rainless intervals.
(vii) Why is the monsoon considered a unifying bond?
Answer:
The unifying influence of the monsoon on the Indian subcontinent is quite
perceptible. The seasonal alteration of the wind systems and the associated
weather conditions provide a rhythmic cycle of seasons. It is considered as a
unifying bond due the following reasons:-
1. Monsoon winds are associated with the rhythmic cycle of seasons.
2. The entire agricultural calendar of the whole country depends on
monsoon.
3. Life of people and festivities revolve around monsoon.
4. The river valleys which carry the water of monsoon also unite as a single
river valley unit.
5. People from north to south and east to west, eagerly await the arrival of
the monsoon.
6. Unifying influence of the monsoon on the Indian subcontinent is quite
perceptible.
Q3. Why does the rainfall decrease from the east to the west in Northern
India?

Answer:
The Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon which enters India from the
northeastern side, gradually sheds its moisture as it advances westward. By the
time it reaches the northwestern part of India, it doesn't have much moisture
left. Hence, rainfall decreases from the east to the west in Northern India.
Q4. Give reasons as to why.
(i) Seasonal reversal of wind direction takes place over the Indian
subcontinent?
Answer:
During summers, the Northern plains are heated up and low pressure is
created over the Indian mainland. This low pressure attracts the trade winds of
the southern hemisphere which bring the monsoon rains. During October-
November, with the apparent movement of the sun towards south, the low
pressure trough over northern plain becomes weaker. It is gradually replaced
by high pressure system. This cause reversal of wind direction over the Indian
subcontinent.
(ii) The bulk of rainfall in India is concentrated over a few months.
Answer:
India receives the majority of its rainfall from the south-west monsoon winds,
which typically last for a duration of 100 to 120 days. As a result, the country
experiences a concentrated period of heavy rainfall over a few months.
(iii) The Tamil Nadu coast receives winter rainfall.
Answer:
During winter the dry offshore northeast monsoon winds blow from high
pressure to low pressure. As they cross the Bay of Bengal, they gather enough
moisture. When these winds reach the Coromandel coast in eastern India, they
bring heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu.
(iv) The delta region of the eastern coast is frequently struck by cyclones.
Answer:
During October-November the low-pressure conditions, over north-western
India, get transferred to the Bay of Bengal. This shift is associated with the
occurrence of cyclonic depression. Therefore, the delta region of the eastern
coast is frequently struck by cyclones.
(v) Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are
drought-prone.
Answer:
1. The Arabian sea branch of the monsoon enters the Indian subcontinent
from the western coast and brings heavy rainfall on windward side of
Western Ghats. The leeward side gets very little rainfall as it falls in rain
shadow area.
2. The Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon gradually sheds its moisture as
it moves from east to west. By the time it reaches Rajasthan and Gujarat
which are located in the northwestern part of the country, it doesn't
have much moisture left to cause adequate rainfall.
3. Because they fall in the rain shadow region of the Aravali Mountains.
Q5. Describe the regional variations in the climatic conditions of India with the
help of suitable examples

Answer:
India’s climatic conditions show significant regional variations due to its diverse
geography. In the northern region, the cold weather season starts in mid-
November and lasts until February, with December and January being the
coldest months. Temperatures generally decrease from south to north. For
instance, Chennai on the eastern coast has a mild winter with average
temperatures around 24°-25° Celsius, while the northern plains experience
colder weather, with temperatures ranging between 10° and 15° Celsius. Frost
is common in the north, and higher Himalayan regions see snowfall during this
period.
As the summer season begins, regional temperature differences become more
apparent. By March, the Deccan Plateau experiences temperatures around 38°
Celsius, and by April, areas in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh reach around 42°
Celsius. In May, the northwestern parts of India frequently record temperatures
as high as 45° Celsius, demonstrating the country’s vast climatic diversity.

Q6. Discuss the mechanisms of the monsoon.

Answer:

(a) The differential heating and cooling of land and water create a low pressure
on the landmass of India while the seas around experience comparatively high
pressure.

(b) The shift of the position of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in summer
over the Ganga Plain. (This is the equatorial trough, normally positioned about
5°N of the equator. It is also known as the monsoon trough during the monsoon
season.)

(c) The presence of the high-pressure area, east of Madagascar, approximately

at 20°S over the Indian Ocean. The intensity and position of this high-pressure
area affect the Indian Monsoon.

(d) The Tibetan Plateau gets intensely heated during summer, which results in
strong vertical air currents and the formation of low pressure over the plateau
at about 9 km above sea level.

(e) The movement of the westerly jet stream to the north of the Himalayas and
the presence of the tropical easterly jet stream over the Indian peninsula during
summer.

7. Give an account of weather conditions and characteristics of the cold season.

Answer:
1. The cold weather season begins from mid-November in northern India
and stays till February. December and January are the coldest months in
the northern part of India.
2. The temperature is higher (24-25°C) in peninsular India but lower (10-
15°C) in North India.
3. Days are warm and night are cold. Frost is common in north and the
higher slopes of Himalayas experience snowfall.
4. Winters are dry because, the northeast trade winds prevail over the
country which blows from land to sea.
 5. Tamil Nadu gets rainfall in winters as here the northeast trade winds
blow from sea to land.
6. The northern plain is characterized by cyclonic western disturbances and
winter rainfall. These rains are locally known as mahawat and are very
important for rabi crops.
7. The peninsular region does not have a well defined cold season as the
moderating influence of the sea keeps the temperature patterns
relatively stable throughout the year.
8. Give the characteristics and effects of the monsoon rainfall in India.
Answer:
Characteristics of monsoon rainfall in India:
1. The duration of monsoon is 100-120 days from first week of June to mid
September.
2. Monsoon rainfall occurs in wet and dry spells taking place only for a few
days at a time. They are interspersed with rainless intervals.
3. The rainfall is unevenly distributed throughout the country. The western
coast, northeastern states, and the Himalayan foothills receive more
rainfall, while the northwestern (Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat) and
central parts (interior of Deccan plateau and parts of Madhya Pradesh) of
India receive relatively less rainfall.
4. Monsoon winds are seasonal and influenced by various atmospheric
conditions. This gives them an uncertain character. The annual rainfall is
highly variable from year to year.
Effects of monsoon rainfall in India:
1. The inflow of south east monsoon bring about total change in weather of
the country. There is relief from scorching hot summers.
2. The Indian agricultural heavily relies on the monsoon. Adequate rainfall
is crucial for the cultivation of crops such as rice, wheat, sugarcane,
cotton, and pulses. A deficient monsoon can lead to droughts, crop
failures, and food shortages.
3. Its uneven nature brings flood in some places and results in drought in
other places.
4. The monsoon rainfall replenishes India's water resources, including
rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater aquifers.