Shiv Chhatrapati Shikshan Sanstha’s

SANT TUKARAM NATIONAL MODEL SCHOOL,

LATUR
Class: IX Sub: Geography

Climate
Content
1. Introduction
2. Main Concept and Sub concept
3. Gist of the lesson
4. Video
5. Map Activity
6. Mind Map
7. Bibliography
8. Question Bank
1. Introduction
In this chapter, you will learn about the atmospheric conditions of India. By going
through CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 4 on Climate, you will get the
answers to many questions such as why do we wear woollens in December or
why is it hot and uncomfortable in the month of May and why it rains in June –
July?

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

 2. Main Concept and Sub concept
1. What is Climate?

Difference in climate and weather

2. Elements of Weather and Climate:

A. Temperature

B. Atmospheric pressure

C. Wind

D. Humidity

E. Precipitation

3. Climatic Controls

A. Latitude

B. Altitude

C. Pressure and wind system

D. Distance from the sea (continentality)

E. Ocean currents

F. Relief features

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

4. Factors affecting India's Climate

A. Latitude

B. Altitude

C. Pressure and Winds

1. → Pressure and surface winds

2. → Upper air circulation

3. → Western cyclonic disturbances and tropical cyclones.

5. The Indian Monsoon

Factors that affect the mechanism of Indian Monsoon

6. The Onset of the Monsoon and Withdrawal

7. The Seasons

• Four main seasons can be identified in India

A. the cold weather season

B. the hot weather season

C. the advancing monsoon

F. the retreating monsoon

8. Monsoon as a Unifying Bond

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

 3. Gist of the Lesson
1. Climate
• Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a
long period of time (more than thirty years).

• Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere over an area at any point of time.
• Elements of Weather and Climate:
1. Temperature
2. Atmospheric pressure
3. Wind
4. Humidity
5. Precipitation
2. Climatic Controls
• There are six major controls of the climate of any place. They are:
1. Latitude
2. Altitude
3. Pressure and wind system
4. Distance from the sea (continentality)
5. Ocean currents
6. Relief features

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

3. Factors affecting India's Climate
1. Latitude
2. Altitude
3. Pressure and Winds

A. Latitude

• The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country. Half of the country lying
south of the Tropic of Cancer, belongs to the tropical area.

B. Altitude

• The Himalayas prevent the cold winds from Central Asia from entering the subcontinent.
making winter milder as compared to central Asia.

C. Pressure and Winds

• Atmospheric conditions that govern climate and associated weather conditions in India are:
1. Pressure and surface winds
2. Upper air circulation
3. Western cyclonic disturbances and tropical cyclones.

D. Upper Air Circulation

1• The higher level of the atmosphere is dominated by a westerly flow. An important

component of this flow is the jet stream.

2• Jet Streams are a narrow belt of high altitude westerly winds in the troposphere (transition
between troposphere and stratosphere.
By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)
E. Western cyclonic disturbances and tropical cyclones

1• The western disturbances, which enter the Indian subcontinent from the west and the
northwest during the winter months, originate over the Mediterranean Sea and are brought
into India by the westerly jet stream.

2• Tropical cyclones originate over the Bay of Bengal and the Indian ocean.

3• Tropical cyclones occur during the monsoon as well as in October-November, and are part
of the easterly flow.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

4. The Indian Monsoon

1• Monsoon are seasonal winds which reverse their direction of flow with the change of
season.

2• The climate of India is strongly influenced by monsoon winds.

A. Factors that affect the mechanism of Indian Monsoon

1• Differential heating and cooling of land and water create low pressure on land while the
sea experiences high pressure.

2• Shifting of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over the Ganga plain during
summers.

3• The intensity and position of high-pressure area towards the east of Madagascar
approximately at 20°S over the Indian Ocean affects the Indian Monsoon. affects the Indian
Monsoon.

4• The heating up of the Tibetan plateau in summers creates low pressure above the plateau.
5• 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.

6• Southern Oscillation.

B. The Onset of the Monsoon and Withdrawal

1• The duration of the monsoon is between 100-120 days from early June to mid-September.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

2• When the monsoon arrives the normal rainfall increases suddenly and continues constantly
for several days. This is known as the ‗burst‘ of the monsoon.

3• It proceeds into two – the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch.

4• The Arabian Sea branch reaches Mumbai about ten days later on approximately the 10th of
June.

5• The Bay of Bengal branch also advances rapidly and arrives in Assam in the first week of
June.
6• The withdrawal of the monsoon begins in northwestern states of India by early September.

7• By mid-October, it withdraws completely from the northern half of the peninsula.

8• By December, the monsoons retreat completely from the rest of India.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

5. The Seasons

• Four main seasons can be identified in India

1. the cold weather season
2. the hot weather season
3. the advancing monsoon
4. the retreating monsoon

A. The Cold Weather Season (Winter)

1• The season begins from mid-November and stays till February in northern India.

2• Coldest months are December and January in the northern part of India.

B. The Hot Weather Season (Summer)

1• The hot weather season in India ranges from March to May.

2• Temperatures upto 48 degree Celsius are experienced in North India.

3• In peninsular India, temperatures remain lower due to the moderating influence of the
oceans.

C. Advancing Monsoon (The Rainy Season)

1• By early June, the trade winds of the southern hemisphere get attracted to the northen
hemisphere due to the creation of low-pressure condition there.
2• Rainfall in the Ganga valley decreases from the east to the west.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

3• Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat get scanty rainfall.

D. Retreating/Post Monsoons (The Transition Season)

1• During October-November, the movement of the sun towards South causes the monsoon
trough in the Northern Plains to become weaker.

2• By early November, the low-pressure conditions, over north-western India, get transferred
to the Bay of Bengal which causecycloninc depressions.

6. Monsoon as a Unifying Bond

1• There is great diversity in the climatic conditions due to location, extent and relief features.

2• These monsoon winds bind the whole country by providing water to set the agricultural
activities in motion.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

 4. Video

[Link]

[Link]
[Link]

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

 5. Activity

On an outline map of India, show the following.

(i) Areas receiving rainfall over 400 cm.

(ii) Areas receiving less than 20 cm of rainfall.

(iii) The direction of the south-west monsoon over India.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

6. Mind Map

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

 7. Bibliography

4. Super fresher – MBD

5. Together With – RachnaSagar

6. Xamidea – V K Global

7. All In One – Arihant

8. Golden Social Science – New Age International LTD

9. Social Science – S Chand

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

 8. Question Bank
1. MCQ
1) Which one of the following places receives the highest rainfall in the world?
(a) Silchar
(b) Mawsynram
(c) Cherrapunji
(d) Guwahati
2) The wind blowing in the northern plains in summers in known as:
(a) Kaal Baisakhi
(b) Loo
(c) Trade winds
(d) None of the above
3) Which one of the following causes rainfall during winters in north-western part of India?
(a) Cyclonic depression
(b) Retreating monsoon
(c) Western disturbances
(d) Southwest monsoon
4) Monsoon arrives in India approximately in:
(a) Early May
(b) Early July
(c) Early June
(d) Early August
5) Which one of the following characteristics the cold weather season in India?
(a) Warm days and warm nights
(b) Warm days and cold nights
(c) Cool days and cold nights
(d) Cold days and warm nights.
6) In which place in India are houses built on stilts?
(a) Bihar
(b) Assam
(c) Goa
(d) None of these
7) In which places of India there is very little difference between day and night
temperatures?
(a) Bihar
(b) Bangalore

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

 (c) Thiruvananthapuram
(d) All of these
8) Most parts of India receive rainfall during which of the following months?
(a) June to September
(b) May to July
(c) September to March
(d) None of these
9) Kal Baisakhi is associated with:
(a) Punjab
(b) Odisha
(c) Karnataka
(d) West Bengal
10) What do you mean by weather?
(a) State of the atmosphere over an area at any point of time
(b) Envelope of air surrounding earth
(c) Generalised monthly atmospheric conditions.
(d) None of these
11) Which one of the following is an element of weather and climate?
(a) Atmospheric pressure
(b) Temperature
(c) Humidity
(d) All of these
12) Around the time of its arrival, the normal rainfall increases suddenly and continues
constantly for several days. This is called:
(a) North-easterlies
(b) Jet stream
(c) South-west monsoon
(d) Burst of the monsoon
13) Which of the following is a component of westerly flow?
(a) North-easterlies
(b) Jet stream
(c) South-west monsoon
(d) Kal Baishakhi
14) Which prevents the southwest monsoon winds from escaping from India?
(a) The Indian deserts
(b) The Himalayas
(c) Low pressure over Central Asia
(d) None of these
By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)
15) Which winds brings widespread rainfall over the mainland of India?
(a) Sea breeze
(b) North easterly
(c) Southwest monsoon winds
(d) None of these
16) Which one of the following places in India have cooler climate even during summers?
(a) Jaisalmer
(b) Surat
(c) Mussoorie
(d) All of these
17) What does the word monsoon literally means?
(a) Wind pattern
(b) Change
(c) Seasons
(d) All of these
18) Which is the coldest place in India?
(a) Shillong
(b) Srinagar
(c) Drass
(d) None of these
19) Which one of the following states in India suffers from loo?
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Bihar
(c) Gujarat
(d) All of these
20) What causes rainfall in West Bengal during the hot weather season?
(a) Kal Baishakhi
(b) Southwest monsoon
(c) Retreating Monsoon
(d) None of these
21) Which area is not an area of low precipitation in India?
(a) Assam
(b) Deccan plateau
(c) Both a and b
(d) None of these

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

Answer Key
1. Assam
2. Loo
3. Western disturbances
4. Early June
5. Warm days and cold nights
6. Assam
7. Thiruvananthapuram
8. June to September
9. West Bengal
10. State of the atmosphere over an area at any point of time
11. All of these
12. Burst of the monsoon
13. Jet stream
14. The Himalayas
15. Southwest monsoon winds
16. Mussoorie
17. Seasons
18. Drass
19. Gujarat
20. Kal Baishakhi
21. Mawsynram

Paragraph Based Question

Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:
Due to the curvature of the earth, the amount of solar energy received varies according
to latitude. As a result, air temperature generally decreases from the equator towards the
poles. As one goes from the surface of the earth to higher altitudes, the atmosphere becomes
less dense and temperature decreases. The hills are therefore cooler during summers. The
pressure and wind system of any area depend on the latitude and altitude of the place. Thus it
influences the temperature and rainfall pattern. The sea exerts a moderating influence on
climate: As the distance from the sea increases, its moderating influence decreases and the
people experience extreme weather conditions. This condition is known as continentality (i.e.
very hot during summers and very cold during winters). Ocean currents along with onshore

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

winds affect the climate of the coastal areas, For example, any coastal area with warm or cold
currents flowing past it, will be warmed or cooled if the winds are onshore. Finally, relief too
plays a major role in determining the climate of a place. High mountains act as barriers for
cold or hot winds; they may also cause precipitation if they are high enough and lie in the
path of rain-bearing winds. The leeward side of mountains remains relatively dry.
1. When we move to the higher latitude
A) Temperature Increases
B) Air pressure increases
C) Temperature decreases
D) None of the above
2. Where do people experience extreme climate?
A) Delhi
B) Tamilnadu
C) Kasmir
D) All of the above
3. Higher the altitude……
A) Lower the temperature
B) Higher the temperature
C) Higher the air density
D) None of the above
4. Which of the following is not the climatic control?
A) Latitude
B) Wind system
C) Ocean currents
D) Soil fertility
Short Answer Type Questions

1. What does the word ―monsoon‖ imply?

Answer:

The word, monsoon is derived from the Arabic word, Mausim. It means season. Hence, the

word, monsoon implies the seasonal reversal in the wind direction during a year. It conveys

the rhythm of seasons and changes in direction of winds and in the distribution pattern of

rainfall and temperature with the change of seasons. The monsoon winds move six months

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

from sea to land and another six months from land to sea.

2. What are three important factors which influence the mechanism of Indian weather?

Answer:

Following are the three main factors which influence the mechanism of Indian weather :

 Surface distribution of pressure and winds.

 Upper air circulation of Jet stream.

 Inflow of western disturbances in winter and tropical depressions in summer. They

create variation in the local weather conditions.

3. ―India‘s climate has characteristics of tropical as well as sub-tropical climates‖ Discuss.

Answer:

The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country from the Rann of Kuchchh in

the west to Mizoram in the east. Amost half of the country, lying south of the Tropic of

Cancer, belongs to the tropical area. A1 the remaining area, north, of the Tropic, lies in the

sub-tropics. Therefore, India‘s climate has characteristics of tropical as well as subtropical

climates.

4. How does the westerly jet stream help in bringing the western disturbances to the Indian

subcontinent during the winter?

Answer:

The western disturbances originate near the Mediterranean sea in the winter. They move

eastwards. The westerly jet stream prevails over the northern plains of India in winter. Hence,

these disturbances come under the influence of the westerly jet stream— which brings them
By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)
to the Indian subcontinent. They cause widespread rainfall in this region. This winter rainfall

is very useful and effective for rabi-crops.

5. State three dominant characteristics of the Indian monsoon.

Answer:

The Indian monsoon is characterised by the following three dominant features :

 Seasonal reversal of direction in wind system : The monsoon winds blow from land to

sea in winter and from sea to land in summer.

 Seasonal heavy rainfall and drought are common features of the Indian monsoon.

 In spite of local variations in climatic conditions, it unites the whole country in a single

climatic thread of monsoon.

6. What do you mean by Southern Oscillation?

Answer:

Normally when the tropical eastern south Pacific Ocean experiences high pressure, the

tropical eastern Indian Ocean experiences low pressure. But in certain years, there is a

reversal in the pressure conditions and the eastern Pacific has lower pressure in comparison to

the eastern Indian Ocean. This periodic change in pressure conditions is known as the

Southern Oscillation.

A feature connected with the SO is the El Nino phenomenon in which a warm ocean current

that flows past the Peruvian Coast, in place of the cold Peruvian current, every 2 to 5 years.

The changes in pressure conditions are connected to the El Nino. Hence, the phenomenon is

referred to as ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillations).

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)
7. Write a short note on the trade winds.

Answer:

The winds blowing from the subtropical high-pressure belt to the equatorial low pressure belt

are termed as Trade Winds‘.

They blow southwards, get deflected to the right due to the Coriolis force, and move towards

the equatorial low-pressure area. Generally, these winds carry little moisture as they originate

and blow over land.

Therefore, they bring little or no rain. The trade winds are the most permanent and regular of

all planetary winds. They blow with great force in a constant direction.

8. What do you know about rainfall distribution in India?

Answer:

Rainfall distribution is unequal in our country. Parts of western coast and northeastern India

receive over about 400 cm of rainfall annually. However, it is less than 60 cm in western

Rajasthan and adjoining parts of Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab. Rainfall is equally low in the

interior of the Deccan plateau, and east of the Sahyadris.

A third area of low precipitation is around Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. The rest of the

country receives moderate rainfall. Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region.

9. Why do the Western Ghats receive more rainfall than the Eastern Ghats?

Answer:

In terms of relief, the Western Ghats are much higher in comparison to the Eastern Ghats.

The Western Ghats are continuous stretches of high mountains.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)
Therefore, when the moisture-laden Arabian Sea branch of Southwest Monsoon first strikes

the Western Ghats, it brings heavy rainfall along the windward side of the Western Ghats. In

Eastern Ghats, rain, bearing winds of Southwest Monsoon do not face such orographic barrier

and hence-receive much lower amount of rainfall.

10. The coastal areas of India do not register any significant change in temperature even

during the winter and summer. Why?

Answer:

The coastal areas of India do not register any significant seasonal changes in temperature due

to the following reasons :

(a) The influence of surrounding sea keep them with equable temperature conditions such as

the mean monthly temperature of Thiruvananthapuram and Mumbai fluctuates very slightly.

(b) As we know the sea watesrs are reservoirs of the warmth and they get heated and cooled

down slowly due to conventional processes of heating and cooling and, hence, they remain

warmer in winter and cooler in summer, keeping the coastal areas equable in temperature.

(c) The warm ocean currents, too, keep the coastal areas with almost equable temperature

throughout the year.

11. Write a short note on withdrawal or retreat of monsoon.

Answer:

Withdrawal or the retreat of the monsoon is a more gradual process. The withdrawal . of the

monsoon begins in northwestern states of India by early September. By mid-October, it

withdraws completely from the northern half of the peninsula. The withdrawal from the

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

southern half of the peninsula is rapid. By early December, the monsoon has withdrawn from

the rest of the country.

The islands receive the very first monsoon showers, progressively from south to north, from

the last week of April to the first week of May. The withdrawal takes place progressively

from north to south from the first week of December to the first week of January. By this

time the rest of the country is already under the influence of the winter monsoon.

12. The western part of Rajasthan remains almost dry during southwest monsoon season.

Give three reasons in support of this statement.

Answer:

The western part of Rajasthan remains almost dry during south-west monsoon Season

because:

 These monsoon winds flow from east, dropping much of its moisture along the path.

When they reach Rajasthan, they are almost dry.

 There is no mountain high enough to check the flow of the Arabian Sea branch of

monsoon winds. The Aravalli Mountains are not very high.

 The direction of the Aravalli Mountains is parallel to the direction of Arabian Sea

winds. Hence, these winds cross over Rajasthan without giving rainfall.

 The heat of the west Rajasthan desert does not allow the condensation of moisture to

take place and hence, no rain is occurs. (Any three)

13. Explain In brief :

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

  Burst of the Monsoon

 Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Answer:

 Burst of the Monsoon : The duration of the monsoon is between 100-120 days from

early June to mid-September. Around the time of its arrival, the normal rainfall

increases suddenly and continues constantly for several days. This is known as the

‗burst‘ of the monsoon and can be distinguished from the pre-monsoon showers.

 Inter Tropical Convergence Zone : The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ,) is a

broad trough of low pressure in equatorial latitudes. This is where the northeast and the

southeast trade winds converge. This convergence zone lies parallel to the equator but

moves north or south with the apparent movement of the sun.

14. Distinguish between southwest monsoon and northeast monsoon.

Answer:

Southwest Monsoon Northeast Monsoon

(i) The summer period is marked by the (i) The winter period is marked by northeast

southwest monsoons. monsoon.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

(ii) The southwest monsoon blow in a (ii) The northwest monsoon blow in a north

southwest direction to the mainland of India easterly direction across India from mid-

from June to September. November to February

(iii) It blows in India into two branches namely

the Arabian Sea branch and Bay of Bengal (iii) It does not possess any branches.

branch.

(iv) The southwest monsoon are warm winds. (iv) These are cold winds.

15. Describe with examples how distance from the sea influences the climate of a place.

Answer:

The sea exerts a moderating influence on climate. As the distance from the sea increases, its

moderating influence decreases and the people experience extreme weather conditions. This

condition is known as continentality i.e., it is marked as very hot during summers and very

cold during winters. For example, Delhi is located in the interior of the country, at a distance

from the sea, experiences an extreme type of climate.

16. Mumbai receives more rainfall in rainy season. Why?

Answer:
By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)
Mumbai receives more rainfall in rainy season from Arabian Sea branch from June to

September. Mumbai is located on the western coast which comes in the way of Arabian Sea

branch. It is located on the windward side of the Western Ghats which receives very heavy

rainfall, which is more than 250 cm.

17. What is October Heat?

Answer:

The months of October-November form a period of transition from hot rainy season to dry

winter conditions. The retreat of the monsoon is marked by clear skies and rise in

temperature. While day temperatures are high, nights are cool and pleasant. The land is still

moist. Owing to the conditions of high temperature and humidity, the weather becomes rather

oppressive during the day. This is commonly known as ‗October heat‘.

18. What do you mean by El Nino?

Answer:

This is the name given to the periodic development of a warm ocean current along the coast

of Peru as a temporary replacement of the cold Peruvian current.

‗El Nino‘ is a Spanish word meaning ‗the child‘, and refers to the baby Christ, as this current

start flowing during Christmas. The presence of the El Nino leads to an increase in sea-

surface temperature and weakening of the trade winds in the region.

19. What are three features of Advancing Monsoon?

Answer:

The three features of Advancing Monsoon are :

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

  By early June, the low-pressure condition over the northern plains intensifies. It attracts

the trade winds of the southern hemisphere.

 These south-east trade winds originate over the warm subtropical areas of the southern

oceans. They cross the equator and blow in a south-westerly direction entering the

Indian peninsula as the south-west monsoon.

 As these winds blow over warm oceans, they bring abundant moisture to the

subcontinent. These winds are strong and blow at an average velocity of 30 km per

hour.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. What are the major controls of the climate? Explain them.

Answer:

The six major controls of the climate are latitude, altitude, pressure and wind system, distance

from the sea, ocean currents and relief features.

 Due to the shape of the earth, the amount of solar energy received varies according to

latitude. As a result, air temperature generally decreases from the equator towards the

poles, as one goes from the surface of the earth to higher altitudes.

 On going from the earth‘s surface to higher altitudes, the atmosphere becomes less

dense and temperature decreases. The hills are, therefore, cooler during summers.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

  The pressure and wind system of any area depends on the latitude and altitude of the

place. Thus, it influences the temperature and rainfall pattern. The sea exerts a

moderating influence on climate.

 As the distance from the sea increases, its moderating influence decreases and the

people experience extreme weather conditions. This condition is known as

continentality (i.e., very hot during summers and very cold during winters).

 Ocean currents along with onshore winds affect the climate of the coastal areas. For

example, any coastal area with warm or cold currents flowing past it, will be warmed

or cooled if the winds are onshore.

 Relief too plays a major role in determining the climate of the place. High mountains

act as barriers for cold or hot winds; they may also cause precipitation it they are high

enough and lie in the path of rain-bearing winds. The leeward side of mountains

remains relatively dry. (Any four points)

2. Give a brief account of the hot weather season in India.

Answer:

The period between March to May is the hot weather season or summer in India.

The characteristic features of the hot weather season are as follows :

 Due to the apparent northward movement of the sun, the global heat belt shifts

northwards.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

  The influence of the shifting of the heat belt can be seen clearly from temperature

recordings taken during March-May at different latitudes. In March, the highest

temperature is about 38° Celsius, recorded on the Deccan plateau.

 In April, temperatures in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are around 42°C. In May,

temperature of 45°C is common in northwestern parts of the country. In temperature

remain lower due to the Peninsular India, has moderating to influence of the oceans.

 The summer months experience rising temperature and falling air pressure in the

northern part of the country. Towards the end of May, an elongated low-pressure area

develops in the region extending from the Thar Desert in the northwest to Patna and

Chotanagpur plateau in the east and southeast. Circulation of air begins to set in around

this trough.

 Strong, gusty, hot, dry winds, locally called ‗loo‘, blow during the day over the north

and northwestern India. They may continue until late in the evening.

 Dust storms are common during the month of May in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Eastern

Rajasthan and Western Uttar Pradesh. Sometimes, they bring light rain and pleasant

cool breeze that provide temporary relief from the heat.

 High temperature during the day causes violent, localised thunderstorms by the

evening. These thunderstorms are associated with violent winds, torrential downpours,

often accompanied by hail. These storms are known as ‗Kaal Baisakhi‘ or calamity of

the month of Baisakh in West Bengal. (Any flue)

3. What are the variations in precipitation in India?

Answer:
By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)
(a) There are variations not only in the form and types of precipitation but also in its amount

and the seasonal distribution.

(b) The rest of the country receives moderate rainfall. Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan

region.

(c) The annual precipitation varies from over 400 cm in Meghalaya to less than 10 cm in

Ladakh and western Rajasthan.

(d) Owing to the nature of monsoons, the annual rainfall is highly variable from year to year.

Variability is high in the regions of low rainfall, such as parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the

leeward side of the Western Ghats.

(e) Most parts of the country receive rainfall from June to September but some parts like the

Tamil Nadu coast gets most of its rains during October and November.

4. Describe the effect of western cyclonic disturbances on the Indian climate?

Answer:

The western cyclonic disturbances are weather phenomena of the winter months brought in

by the westerly flow from the Mediterranean region.

They affect the climate of India in the following ways :

 By causing cyclonic rainfall in the month of winter, which is otherwise dry, the region

of western cyclonic disturbances influence the weather of the north and north-western

India.

 These low-pressure systems originate over the Mediterranean Sea and Western Asia

and move into India, alongwith easterly flow.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

  They cause the much-needed winter rains over the plains and snowfall in the

mountains.

 Although the total amount of winter rainfall, locally known as ‗Mahawat‘ is small, it is

very useful for rabi crops. These winds are called western cyclonic disturbances since

they came from the western part of India.

5. Write about the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon.

Answer:

The monsoon arrives at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula generally by the first week of

June. Subsequently, it proceeds into two – the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal

branch. The Arabian Sea branch reaches Mumbai about ten days later on approximately the

10th of June. This is a fairly rapid advance. The onshore moisture-laden winds strike the

Western Ghats and provide heavy rainfall on its windward side. As a result, Mumbai in the

windward side receives much more rainfall than Pune which is located on the leeward side of

the Western Ghats.

By mid-June, the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon arrives over Saurashtra-Kuchchh and

the central part of the country. In the western and northwestern parts of the country, the

highlands, the Aravalis, lie parallel to the direction of the incoming Arabian Sea branch of

monsoon. Hence, these areas do not receive much rainfall because the rain-bearing winds do

not strike any barrier.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

By the first week of July, Western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and eastern Rajasthan

experience the monsoons.

The Arabian Sea branch of monsoon merges with the Bay of Bengal branch over the north-

western part of the Ganga plains. Delhi receives its rain from either of the two branches.

6. Write a brief account of the conditions and characteristics of the retreating monsoons.

Answer:

The months of October-November mark a period of transition from hot rainy season to cold

dry winter conditions. With the apparent movement of the sun southwards, the low-pressure

monsoon trough over the Northern Plains weakens and is gradually replaced by a high-

pressure system. The low-pressure conditions shift to the Bay of Bengal.

The retreat of the monsoon is marked by clear skies and rise in temperature. While day

temperatures are high, nights are cool and pleasant. The land is still moist.

As a result, the southwest monsoon winds weaken and start withdrawing gradually from

India. By the beginning of October, it withdraws from the Northern Plains. This period is

known as the Retreating Monsoon

The Retreating Monsoon season is marked by clear skies and rise in temperature. While days

are warm, nights are cool and pleasant. High rate of evaporation from the land that is still

moist results in high humidity and oppressive weather conditions during the day. This

phenomenon is known as ‗October heat‘.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)

The low-pressure conditions, cgyer northwestern India, get transferred to the Bay of Bengal

by early November. This shift is associated with the occurrence of cyclonic depressions,

which originate over the Andaman Sea.

The deltas region of the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri are frequently struck by

cyclones, which cause great damage to life and property. Sometimes, these cyclones arrive at

the coasts of Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh. The bulk of the rainfall of the

Coromandel Coast is derived from depressions and cyclones.

Map Questions

1. Locate and label the following items on the given map

1 A line where the time period of withdrawal of monsoon is 15 November.

2 A line where the time period of withdrawal of monsoon is 1 October.

3 A line where the time period of withdrawal of monsoon is 15 September.

2. Locate and label the following items on the given map

1 Any two areas with rainfall over 400 cm.

2 The place which receives the highest rainfall in the world.

3 Regions which receive rainfall between 200-400 cm.

3. Locate and label the following items on the given map

1 A region which has high pressure during summer.

2 A region which has low pressure during summer.

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)
By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)
The End

By: Pushkar V. D. PGT Social (STNMS)