HIRANANDANI FOUNDATION SCHOOL, THANE

GEOGRAPHY
STD X THE CLIMATE OF INDIA

Q. 1. (a) Name the type of climate prevailing over India. Mention any two
factors responsible for it.
Ans – India experiences tropical monsoon climate. Major areas in India are
located in the tropical belt and the climate is influenced by the monsoon winds
which are largely confined to the tropics. The Indian Ocean in the south is also
responsible for giving monsoonal climate to India.

(b) State two important characteristics of the Monsoon rainfall in India.

Ans – The characteristics of the monsoonal rainfall in India are:
The rainfall is seasonal, occurs from June to September.
The type of rainfall is orographic/relief.
The rainfall is erratic in nature.
Rainfall is unevenly distributed.

(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Heatwaves in the end of April are experienced in the Northern Plains
because due to the northward apparent migration of the Sun, the Northern Plains
experiences high angle of incidences of the Sun’s rays which give rise to the
high temperature as well this sudden rise in temperature causes loo blow across
the region.

(ii) Tropical cyclones are common in the Bay of Bengal as compared to

the Arabian Sea because the Bay of the Bengal is eclosed water body
(surrounded by land) which helps to the concentration of heat, were as the
Arabian Sea (three times larger) is more open or vast water body therefore the
concentration of heat is less as compared to the Bay of Bengal.

(iii) The Indo-Gangetic Plains get some rainfall in the months of

December and January due to the Western Disturbances/or temperate cyclones
originating over the Mediterranean Sea, those are brought by the subtropical
westerly jet.

(d) (i) What is Monsoon?

Ans – Monsoon is a seasonally reversing wind. The wind originates due to the
differential rate of heating and cooling of land and sea.

(ii) Name the place in India which receives the heaviest rainfall.
Ans – Mawsynram in Meghalaya.
Q.2 (a) Mention the different sources of rain Punjab and Tamil Nadu during the
winter season.
Ans – Punjab receives winter rainfall Western Disturbances/or temperate
cyclones originating over the Mediterranean Sea, those are brought by the
subtropical westerly jet.
Tamil Nadu receives winter rainfall due to the North East Monsoon winds
which pick ups the moisture from the Bay of Bengal and bring rainfall.

(b) What is meant by the ‘rain-shadow area’? Give an example and state
the mountains which are responsible for the rain-shadow area.
Ans – The slope opposite of windward slope of a hill or mountain, which does
not obstruct moisture-bearing winds is called the leeward slope. The area which
is adjoining to the leeward side of the mountain is known as rain-shadow
region. For explain the Western Ghats’s rain shadow region is the Deccan
Plateau/ Himalayan Mountain’s rain-shadow region is the Tibetan Plateau.

(c) Study the climatic data given below and answer the following
questions;
(i)The annual rainfall is 114.3 cm.
(ii) The station experiences maritime/equable/moderate type of climate
because the annual range of the station is 9.7ºC.
(iii) Rainfall is heaviest in the cold dry winter season/North East
monsoon season.

(d) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) The Arabian Sea branch of the South West Monsoon winds blow parallel to
the Aravalli Mountain hence Western Rajasthan receives no rain from the
Arabian Sea branch of South West Monsoon winds.

(ii) Mangalore experiences moderating influence of the sea, which keep the
winter conditions moderate in the month of December.

(iii) Shimla is a hill station located at higher height and Delhi is located on the
Plains, as per the normal laps rate (as we go 166m high there is decrease in
temperature by 1ºC) Shimla is cooler in summer than Delhi.

Q. 3 (a) State two points of difference in climate between northern and southern
zones of India due to latitude.
Northern India Southern India
Climate is sub-tropical Climate is tropical
 Summers are very hot and winters are Uniform high temperature due to the
equally cold due to high seasonal low seasonal variation.
variation

(b) State briefly the impact of water bodies on the climate in coastal areas.
Ans - Coastal areas experiences equable climate due to moderating influence of
the sea, annual range of temperature is low.
On shore monsoon winds may bring heavy rainfall due to nearness to the water
bodies, if the winds get obstructed by relief features.

(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Variation in the type of climate in different regions of India because of
its vast latitudinal extent /varied relief features.

(ii) Most parts of India receive rainfall between June and September
because of the onset of the South West Monsoon winds.

(iii) South-West Monsoon withdraw from Northern India in October

because of weaking of low-pressure trough over the Northern Plains
of India due to the southward apparent migration of the Sun.

(d) (i) What are Jet Streams?

Ans – Jet streams are band of high velocity winds in the upper layer of the
troposphere, close to the tropopause, from west to east in general in a
meandering course.
(ii) How do they influence the climate of India?
Ans – In winter, Sub Topical Westerly Jet Streams attract more temperate
cyclones so more western disturbances bring more precipitation to India. In
summer, Tropical Easterly Jet Streams form a series of depressions over central
and south India to attract more on-shore South-West Monsoon winds.

Q. 4. (a) How does El-Nino affect the climate of India?

Ans – Due to El-Nino, there is less supply of moisture-bearing winds to India so
the South-West Monsoon winds become weaker and there will be less rainfall in
India.

(b) State two characteristic features of North East Monsoon.

Ans. Characteristic features of North-East Monsoon:
1. The North-East monsoon Winds blow from December to February.
2. The winds are cold, off-shore winds which bring cool, pleasant, clear
weather conditions in India.
3. These winds do not bring rainfall after blowing over the Bay of Bengal
pick up moisture and bring relief rainfall.
(c) Mention three important features of rainfall in India.
Ans – Most of the rainfall occurs from South-West Monsoon winds, which is
orographic rainfall and occurs mostly from June to September, distribution of
rainfall not even throughout the country.
Tropical cyclones bring rainfall mostly in October and November in
Coromandel Coast. Temperate cyclones, the Western Disturbances bring rainfall
to north-west India in winter season.

(d) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Pune receives less rainfall than Mumbai because Pune is located on the
leeward slope of the Western Ghats but Mumbai is located on the windward
slope of the Western Ghats which obstruct Arabian Sea branch of South-West
Monsoon winds.

(ii) Tropical cyclones bring heavy rainfall but temperate cyclones light
rainfall because tropical cyclones originate over the tropical sea due to high
temperature, so air contains more moisture but temperate cyclones originate in
mid-latitude due to the formation of frost mostly in winter so moisture content
of the air is less.

(iii) Kerala has a tropical climate while Bihar has a continental climate
because Kerala is located close to the Equator, in the tropical zone and Punjab is
located in the interior of the country, away from the moderating influence of the
sea.

Q.5 (a) Distinguish between ‘Burst of Monsoon’ and ‘Break of Monsoon’.

Ans -
Burst of Monsoon Break of Monsoon
Sudden violent onset of South-West The failure of the South-West
Monsoon winds in the first week of Monsoon winds to bring rainfall for
June. two weeks or more than that periods
This happens only along the Kerala This happens for entire India or parts
coast. of India.
Brings heavy rainfall along with Causes dryness.
thunder and lightning.

(b) Define:
(i) Western Disturbances are the temperate cyclones originate over the
Mediterranean Sea travel towards east with the help Westerlies to give winter
rainfall over the Northern Plains of India.
(ii) Mango Showers are thunderstorms which cause rainfall along the Kerala
coasts which is beneficial for ripening of mangoes, and tea, coffee and rice
crops.

(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) The monsoon rain is unevenly distributed over India because rainfall
is orographic or relief rainfall. If the relief feature is parallel to the direction of
on-shore winds there will be rainfall due to the obstruction, moisture-bearing
winds will be forced to rise to condense. The windward slope of the mountain
the amount of rainfall is more than the leeward slope or rain-shadow region,
where the rainfall is almost nil. Moreover, being a vast country as the moisture-
bearing winds proceed towards the interior the winds gradually become
exhausted, so the amount of rainfall decreases.

(ii) Excessive cold in north India during winter season because North
India is away from the moderating influence of the seas having continental
climate, winters are very cold.
North India experiences very low temperature due to the influence of cold
waves due to the presences of Himalayas which further reduce the temperature.

(iii) Most of India remains dry during North-East Monsoon because the
North-East Monsoon winds are off-shore winds which blow from the Northern
Plains and the winds remains very cold in winters, so cold and dry winds cannot
give rainfall.

(d) (i) Name two regions which get very little rain from the Summer
Monsoon.
Ans The two regions are:
1. The Coromandel Coastal Plains
2. The Thar Desert
(ii) Name any two local winds which blow in India during the summer
season.
Ans- The local winds which blow during summer:
1. Loo
2. Kalbaisakhi
3. Bardoli Chheerha
4. Mango Showers
5. Cherry Blossoms.

Q.6 (a) What is meant by the season of ‘Retreating Monsoon’?

Ans – The season of transition between the final withdrawal of the South-West
monsoon and the regular setting in of the North-East Monsoon.
 (b) Name the months in which Retreating Monsoon wind is experienced?
Ans – The months are October and November.

(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) The Northern Plains of India do not freeze in winter because Himalayas
prevents severe cold winds blowing from Central Asia from entering India and
help to maintain temperature.

(ii) In spite of Aravalli Range, Rajasthan receives scanty rainfall because the
Arabian Sea branch of South West Monsoon winds blow parallel to Aravalli
hence unable to obstruct so no rainfall, were as the Bay of Branch of South West
monsoon winds reach the Western Rajasthan, which is the rain-shadow area of
the Aravalli, the winds do not bring rain from the desert.

(iii) Chennai has more wet days than Bengaluru because Chennai being on the
east coast of India receives rainfall in the month of October and November from
the tropical cyclones which originate over the Andaman Sea, in winter season
(December to February) Chennai receives rainfall from the North-East
Monsoon winds so rainier month. Bengaluru being on the west coast of India
receives rainfall only from the South West Monsoon winds during June to
September.

(d) (i) Name the season during which the North-East Trade Winds dominate.
Ans – The North-East Trade Winds dominate in the season of the cold and dry
weather or North East Monsoon (December -February)

(ii) How do these winds affect the climate of India?

Ans – The North-East Monsoon Winds blow during the winter season in India,
they bring cool, pleasant and dry weather conditions in the most part of India.
When North-East Monsoon cross over the Bay of Bengal, they pick up moisture
and bring rainfall to the Coromandel Coast of India.

Q.7 (a) Difference between the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal
branch of South-West monsoon Winds.
Ans – Refer to the text book page no. 86.

(b) Name any two states that receive rain in January-February from North East
Monsoon.
Ans – Coastal Plains of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh receive rainfall in
January- February.
(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Western part of India is a desert region because the Arabian Sea branch of
South-West Monsoon winds blows parallel to Aravalli which do not obstruct the
winds to shed rainfall. Moreover, while blowing over Rajasthan, due to very
high temperature the relative humidity reduces, so the possibility of rainfall
decreases.

(ii) Kochi has a lower annual range of temperature than Agra because Kochi
experiences moderating influence of the sea, which moderate the temperature,
were as Agra is away from the moderating influence of the sea experiences
continental climate.

(iii) The Northern Plains and Punjab receive winter cyclonic rain in winter
because the Western Disturbances/or temperate cyclones originating over the
Mediterranean Sea, enter India with the help of Westerlies.

(d) (i) What causes the winter rain along Coromandel Coast?
Ans – The North East Monsoon winds while blowing over the Bay of Bengal
pick up moisture and get obstructed by the Eastern Ghats. The Coromandel
Coast receives rainfall being on windward slope of the Eastern Ghats.

(ii) Name a state which gets sufficient rainfall from the winter monsoon.
Ans – Tamil Nadu (Coastal Plains) gets rainfall from the winter monsoon.

Q. 8 (a) Give two points of difference between Tropical Cyclones and

Temperate Cyclones.
Ans – refer to the text book page no. 87.

(b) An Inter-School Football Match at Visakhapatnam from November 1 to 3

had to be cancelled because of bad weather. Give an explanation for this
happening. Your explanation should provide the technical name of this season in
India, as well as the pressure conditions over the Bay of Bengal.
Ans – Visakhapatnam experiences the season of Retreating South-West
Monsoon Winds. During this period the low-pressure depressions (tropical
cyclones) are developed over the Bay of Bengal which are responsible for
cyclonic rain along with strong winds.

(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Kanyakumari experiences an equable climate because it experiences
moderating influence of the seas. So moderate climate summers are neither too
hot winters are nor too cold
(ii) The Coromandel Coast remains dry in July-August because it is located
parallel to the Bay of Bengal branch of South-West Monsoon so no rainfall.
Moreover, it lies in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats, so Arabian Sea
branch of South-West Monsoon winds unable to bring rainfall.

(iii) Mangalore experiences more rainfall than Mysore because Mangalore is

located on the windward slope of the Western Ghats which obstructs the on-
shore Arabian Sea branch of South-West Monsoon winds and forces the winds
to shed heavy rain but Mysore is located in the rain shadow area of the Western
Ghats so less rainfall.

(d) (i) Name one region which gets rainfall from the Retreating Monsoon.
Ans – Coromandel Coastal Plains receives rainfall from the Retreating
Monsoon.

(ii) Name two areas which get more than 200cm of rainfall in India.
Ans - Areas which receives rainfall more than 200cm:
1. The Western Coastal Plains and the western slopes of the Western
Ghats.
2. Meghalaya Hills, the Southern slopes of Eastern Himalaya.

Q.9 (a) From where does the winter showers in Western Uttar Pradesh and
Punjab originate?
Ans – The Western Disturbances which bring winter showers in Western Uttar
Pradesh and Punjab originate over the Mediterranean Sea.

(b) State the economic importance of Kalbaisakhis in West Bengal and Assam.
Ans – Kalbaisakhis bring short summer rain which is beneficial for growing
jute, tea and rice in West Bengal and rice and tea in Assam.

(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Chennai receives less rain than Thiruvananthapuram although it has more
rainy days because Chennai receives rainfall mainly from the tropical cyclones
and the North-East Monsoon winds. Cyclonic rain occurs for shorter duration
and amount of moisture carried by the North-East Monsoon winds is less but
Thiruvananthapuram is located on the windward side of the Western Ghats and
obstruct on-shore South-West Monsoon winds to bring heavy rainfall.

(ii) Shillong gets less than 200cm of rainfall in a year while Cherrapunji
receives more than 1250cm of rainfall because Shillong is located on the
leeward side of the Assam Hills/ Meghalaya Hills but Cherrapunji is located at
the crest on the windward slope of the Khasi hills which obstruct the Bay of
Bengal branch of the South-West Monsoon winds.

(iii) Jaipur has a higher annual range of temperature than Mumbai because
Jaipur is located in the interior, away from the moderating influence of the sea
so having continental type of climate but Mumbai has coastal location, climate
is equable due to the presence of the moderating influence of the sea.

(d) Briefly explain the role of the Himalayas in determining the climate of India
during:
(i) the hot weather season – The Himalayas do not allow the north-south
movement of the winds. so, the Northern Plains experience warm temperate
climate, where summers are very hot.
The Himalayas have higher elevation which is responsible for relatively cool
temperatures in compare to the plains.

(ii) the southwest monsoon season – The Himalayas obstruct the on-shore
South-West monsoon winds and force then to shed rainfall over the Northern
Plains.

Q. 10 (a) According to a news report the onset of southwest monsoon over

Kerala was delayed and happened on June 8, 2023 due to El-Nino. What is El-
Nino? What is the expected date for the onset of Southwest Monsoons over
Kerala?
Ans- El-Nino is an irregularly recurring flow of unusually warm surface waters
from the Pacific Ocean toward and along the western coast of South America.
Due to El-Nino, there is less supply of moisture- bearing winds to India.
The expected date for the onset of South-West Monsoonal rainfall over Kerala
is 1st June.

(b) Uneven monsoon with below average rainfall in June, above average
rainfall in July and a dry August was reported one year. How does this pattern of
rainfall differ from the regular pattern of rainfall over the subcontinent?
Ans – The pattern of rainfall differs from the regular pattern of rainfall over the
subcontinent due to erratic nature of monsoonal rainfall which is further
influenced by the climatic change.

(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) The northern hills of Assam do not get as much rainfall as the southern hills
because a part of the Bay of Bengal branch of South-West Monsson winds
before reaching the Assam Hills blow over the warmer land surface where some
amount of moisture gets lost due to evaporation. On the contrary, the southern
hills receive rainfall from the Arabian Sea branch of South-West Monsoon
winds and these moisture-bearing winds get obstruction as soon as they enter
landmasses in Peninsular India.

(ii) Northern India has cold-wave conditions in winters because Northern India
experiences continental climate due to the absence of the moderating influence
of the sea. So, winters are very cold. Moreover, the snowfall in the nearby
Himalayan ranges during winter/ the cold winds from the Caspian Sea and
Turkmenistan create cold wave conditions.

(iii) The month of October is marked by the sultry humid weather because
temperature over the central and Southern India is relatively high which causes
higher rate of evaporation. High humidity and high temperature cause sultry
oppressive weather condition in October.

(d) Study the climate data for cities A and B and answer the following
questions:
(i) Calculate the annual rainfall for both cities.
Ans- The annual rainfall for City A is 1156mm and of city B is 1036mm.

(ii) Where are the two cities located? Give reasons to support your answer.
Ans – City A is located in the interior, Ganaga Plains because the annual range
of temperature is high (16.3ºC) and maximum rainfall is from the South West
Monsoon Winds.
City B is located on the East Coastal Plains because the annual range of
temperature is only (8ºC) and the wettest month is October; heavy rainfall is due
to tropical cyclones.

Q.11 (a) Taru has lived in Pune for her entire life. Now she has to shift to
Ludhiana. As a student of geography what would you tell her to prepare her for
life in the new city?
Ans – Taru should be inform about the climatic conditions being located far
away from the moderating influence of the sea, Ludhiana experiences extreme
continental climate, features like:
1. to prepare for hot and dry summers and cool, dry winters.
2. Winter rainfall and foggy conditions.
3. Hot dry dusty winds in summers.

(b) Explain why the South West Monsoon winds enter West Bengal from the
south or south-east direction.
Ans - The Bay of Bengal branch of South West Monsoon winds which blow
from the south west direction is deflected over the Ganga Plains owing to the
presence of the Arakan Hills along the coast of Myanmar, and therefore the
South west monsoon winds enter West Bengal from the south or south east
direction.

(c) How would the monsoon mechanism be affected by the absence of the
Great Indian Desert?
Ans – The Great Indian Desert during the summer season becomes extremally
hot creating intense low-pressure region over the landmass. This intense low
pressure attracts the South West Monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean
(Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal) and bring rainfall to major part of India.
In absence of the Great Indian Desert there would be weaker low pressure over
the land mass, reducing the intensity of the monsoon winds reaching the Indian
main land. This would result to less rainfall to India as well as the South West
Monsoon winds might be delayed to approach India due to the weak low
pressure.

(d) Most Parts of India do not receive rainfall in winter season. Why? Name
two regions that receive winter rainfall and identify each region’s source.
Ans- The North East Monsoon winds blow in India during cold weather season
they originate from the Central Asia. These winds are cold and dry hence
incapable to produce rainfall. Therefore, most parts of India do not receive
rainfall in winter season.
Two regions that receives winter rainfall in India are:
1. The Coromandel Coastal Plains
The source is North East Monsoon winds (moisture from Bay of Bengal)
2. The Northern Plains
The source is Western Disturbances brought by Westerlies from the
Mediterranean Sea.

Q. 12 The IMD collates rainfall between June and September as SW monsoon.

Answer the following questions.
(a) The southwest monsoon typically accounts for about 70% of India’s annual
rainfall, making it vital for the country’s agrarian economy, which contributes
approximately 14% to the national GDP. A good monsoon would boost the
economy, how?
Ans- A good monsoon would boost the economy by:
1. Sufficient rainfall ensures a good yield of food crops like rice, wheat and
other staples, which contribute to food security and will bring price stability.
Better crop yield means more food for the population and higher income for
farmers.
2. A good monsoon will help to agro-based industries by improving the supply
raw material and reduce the production cost.
(b) By 30 September, 2024 regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and
Goa have recorded extraordinary surpluses, with Rajasthan along seeing a 57%
increase over average rainfall. How?
Ans – Yes, surplus rainfall will be beneficial in the following ways:
1. Surplus rainfall will be beneficial for increase in the yield of the kharif crops
like rice, millets, pluses and cotton. Better crop yield means more food for the
population and higher income for farmers.
2. Surface rainfall will lead to increase in ground water table and replenishes
wells, ponds and lakes. This will ensure water availability for irrigation and
drinking in dry months.
3. Increase in water level of dam which will support the hydroelectricity and
water supply to nearby cities.

(c) There have been regional imbalances in the rainfall received with several
states having deficits: Manipur (-30%), Bihar (-26%), Punjab (-23%), and
Himachal Pradesh (-21%). While the surplus is beneficial for India’s overall
water availability and agricultural output, states experiencing deficits may
continue to face difficulties. With the help of an example explain what
difficulties would these states face.

Ans – In Manipur, a deficit in rainfall can lead to drought like conditions which
will affect the rice cultivation. In Bihar and Punjab, it will affect the rice
cultivation as well as production of rabi crops (which completely depend upon
soil moisture). In Himachal Pradesh, the rainfall deficit can lead to a decline in
agricultural productivity and hydroelectricity production.

Deficit in rainfall can lead to reduction in groundwater supply. Decline in

agricultural production will lead to decline in the GDP that can affect the
economy as well.

(d) Study the picture on the right. Briefly explain what could be the cause of this
calamity and what could be done to bring relief.

Ans – The natural cause of calamity will be heavy and continuous rainfall,
heavy rainfall can lead to over flow of rives, cloud burst etc.,
The manmade cause will be poor drainage system, blocked stormwater drains,
overflow of dam.
What could be done to bring relief:
Ans: 1. water storage system like rainwater harvesting.
2. improve drainage infrastructure and clean drains regularly.
3. afforestation to control the flood.
Q.13 (a) On my visit to the queen of the hills, the city of Nainital in the month
of December, there was snowfall and I stayed indoors. I was thrilled but also
amazed as to why it occurred in what I was told could winters.

(i) What is the cause for the precipitation to occur at Nainital?

Ans – The cause for the snowfall is Western Disturbances/temperate cyclones
which originate over the Mediterranean Sea, brought by Westerlies.
(ii) Explain the phenomenon which leads to the given situation.
Ans – Western Disturbances/temperate cyclones originate over the
Mediterranean Sea in the winter season due to the formation of fronts in the
north temperate zone, these are brought by Westerlies and sub-tropical westerly
jet in India.

(b) At Lucknow, during the month of May, the hot dry season is characterized
by a local wind, which increases the temperature for the city and keeps all the
people mostly indoors during the afternoon.

(i) What type of local wind is discussed?

Ans – The local wind is ‘loo’.

(ii) How is it responsible for the given climatic condition prevailing in the
above-mentioned city?
Ans – Loo is the hot, dry and dusty winds that blows over the Northern Plains
of India in May. It raises temperature during the afternoon making weather
extremely hot and forcing people to stay indoors to avoid sunstroke.