WBBSE Solutions For Class 10 Geography And Environment India – Climate Of India

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board India – Climate Of India Multiple Choice Type:

Question 1. “Burst of Monsoon” is first observed in:
1. Kerala
2. Karnataka
3. Meghalaya
4. West Bengal

Answer: 1. Kerala

Read and learn all WBBSE Solutions For Class 10 Geography And Environment

Question 2. Western disturbances occur in India during:
1. Summer season
2. Autumn season
3. Rainy season
4. Winter season

Answer: 2. Winter season

Question 3. Dust storms in North-West India in summer are called:
1. Kalbaisakhi
2. Andhi
3. Westem disturbance
4. Loo

Answer: 2. Andhi

Question 4. ______ receives the highest rainfall.
1. Mousinram
2. Kerala
3. Andhra Pradesh
4. Orissa

Answer: 1. Mousinram

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 5. ______ is common in West Bengal.
1. Kalbaisakhi
2. Western disturbance
3. Hurricanes
4. Landslides

Answer: 1. Kalbaisakhi

Question 6. Winter rainfall in India is caused due to
1. Cyclones
2. South-West Monsoon
3. Hurricanes
4. North-East Monsoon

Answer: 2. South-West Monsoon

Question 7. The State of Assam falls in the region ______.
1. Heavy rainfall
2. Moderate rainfall
3. Light rainfall
4. None

Answer: 1. Heavy rainfall

Question 8. Monsoons are ______ winds.
1. Local
2. Seasonal
3. Permanent
4. Casual

Answer: 2. Seasonal

Question 9. The place that gets rainfall from the western disturbances is _____.
1. Srinagar
2. Mumbai
3. Ahmedabad
4. Orissa

Answer: 3. Ahmedabad

Question 10. The place which has the lowest mean temperature in January is ______.
1. Kolkata
2. Lucknow
3. Srinagar
4. Chennai

Answer: 3. Srinagar

Question 11. Excessive heavy rainfall occurs in _______.
1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Meghalaya
3. Punjab
4. Orissa

Answer: 2. Meghalaya

Question 12. Local winds which bring thunderstorms are _____.
1. Loo
2. Andhi
3. Nor’westers
4. Cyclones

Answer: 3. Nor’westers

Question 13. Desert and semi-desert conditions prevail in _____.
1. Karnataka
2. Rajasthan
3. Kerala
4. Arunachal Pradesh

Answer: 2. Rajasthan

Question 14. Maximum temperature occurs in:
1. Cherrapunji
2. Bermer
3. Bhopal
4. Delhi

Answer: 2. Bermer

Question 15. Deccan Plateau is a _____ region.
1. Rainshadow
2. Heavy rainfall
3. Mountainous
4. Plain area

Answer: 1. Rainshadow

Question 16. The _____ experiences rainfall twice.
1. Malabar coast
2. Konkancoast
3. Coromondel coast
4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Coromandel coast

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 17. The western coastal plain receives blows from rainfall
1. Low
2. High
3. Moderate
4. Normal

Answer: 2. High

Question 18. The monsoon wind during summer blows from ______ direction in India.
1. South-east
2. North-east
3. South-west
4. East-west

Answer: 3. South-west

Question 19. The north-western part of India has
1. Extremes of climate
2. Moderate climate
3. Wet climate
4. None of the above

Answer: 1. Extremes of climate

Question 20. The highest rainfall in India is recorded at
1. Baxadoars
2. Cherrapunji
3. Mousinram
4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Mousinram

Question 21. The interior part of the Deccan Plateau is situated on the _____ side of the Western Ghats.
1. Leeward
2. Windward
3. Western side of the western ghats
4. None of the above

Answer: 1. Leeward

Question 22. Loo is a
1. Hot wind
2. Cold wind which mainly blows over U.P.
3. Savannah
4. None of the above

Answer: 1. Hot wind

Question 23. Andhi is a:
1. Dust storm
2. Cold wind which flows during the summer month
3. Hot wind
4. None of the above

Answer: 1. Dust storm

Question 24. ______ is common in West Bengal.
1. Kalbaisakhi
2. Western disturbance
3. Both of these
4. None of these

Answer: 1. Kalbaisakhi

Question 25. Winter rainfall in India is caused due to
1. Cyclones
2. S.W.Monsoon
3. Both of these
4. None of these

Answer: 1. Cyclones

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 26. Excessive heavy rainfall occurs in
1. Meghalaya
2. Andhra Pradesh
3. Punjab
4. West Bengal

Answer: 1. Meghalaya

Question 27. Local winds that bring thunderstorms are
1. Loo
2. Andhi
3. Mango Showers
4. Nor-westers

Answer: 4. Nor-westers

Question 28. Maximum rainfall occurs during the month of
1. July-August
2. May-June
3. January-March
4. September-October

Answer: 1. July-August

School Geography Class 10 WBBSE India – Climate Of India True Or False Type:

Question 1. Monsoon is an Arabic word.
Answer: True

Question 2. India is a land of monsoons.
Answer: True

Question 3. South-West Monsoon causes heavy rainfall.
Answer: True

Question 4. Coromandel Coast receives rainfall twice a year.
Answer: True

Question 5. Heavy rainfall causes floods.
Answer: True

Question 6. There are mainly 4 seasons in India.
Answer: True

Question 7. South-West Monsoon brings rainfall to India.
Answer: True

Question 8. Tamil Nadu Coastal Plain receives rainfall in the winter season.
Answer: True

Question 9. Nor’wester blows in West Bengal.
Answer: True

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 10. Western disturbance is common in the North—Western States of India.
Answer: True

Question 11. A rain shadow area in India is Pune.
Answer: True

Question 12. The actual period of the South-West Monsoon is January to March.
Answer: False

Question 13. The rainfall in India is evenly distributed.
Answer: False

Question 14. March is the hottest month of summer in India.
Answer: False

Question 15. Seasonal heavy rainfall and drought are common features of the monsoon climate in India.
Answer: True

Question 16. High-pressure condition prevails on the Indian Ocean in summer.
Answer: True

Question 17. Rainfall is heavy on the eastern side of the Western Ghats.
Answer: False

Question 18. Dust storm in Western India is called Loo.
Answer: False

Question 19. The hot wind blowing over the U.P. during summer months is called Loo.
Answer: True

Question 20. Mango Showers are experienced in Tamil Nadu.
Answer: True

Question 21. Deccan Plateau is a rain shadow region.
Answer: True

Question 22. Thar desert receives scanty rainfall.
Answer: True

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 23. Seasonal rainfall and drought are common features of the monsoon climate of India.
Answer: True

Question 24. High-pressure condition prevails in the Indian Ocean in summer.
Answer: True

Question 25. Rainfall is heavy on the leeward side of the Western Ghats.
Answer: False

Question 26. The north-western part of India has a very low-pressure center during summer.
Answer: True

Question 27. The western part of India has a very low-pressure centre during summer.
Answer: False

Question 28. The western disturbances bring rainfall and coldness during summer.
Answer: True

Question 29. Winter rainfall in India is very common.
Answer: False

Question 30. The coastal region has extremes of climate.
Answer: False

Question 31. The climate of India is hot, arid and monsoon-type.
Answer: False

Geography Class 10 Solutions WBBSE India – Climate Of India Fill In The Blanks Type:

Question 1. The dust storms developed during summer seasons in North-West India are known as ______.
Answer: Andhi.

Question 2. ______ is a hot dry wind found in India.
Answer: Loo.

Question 3. Monsoon means ______ or Season.
Answer: Mousom.

Question 4. _____ means Inter Tropical Convergence.
Answer: ITC.

Question 5. ______ receives the highest rainfall in India.
Answer: Mausinram.

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 6. Monsoon is an Arabic word meaning _____.
Answer: Season.

Question 7. Deccan Plateau is a rain ______ region.
Answer: Shadow.

Question 8. Mousinram receives the highest in India.
Answer: Rainfall.

Question 9. ______ is a desert because of scanty rainfall.
Answer: Rajasthan.

Question 10. _____ coast receives rainfall twice a year.
Answer: Coromandel.

Question 11. ______ is a storm experienced in W.B.
Answer: Kalbaisakhi.

India – Climate Of India Very Short Answer Type:

Question 1. Which region in India experiences rainfall twice in a year?
Answer: The Coromandel coast (Tamil Nadu coast).

Question 2. Name a region where snowfall occurs.
Answer: Kashmir Himalaya.

Question 3. Name the place recording the lowest temperature in India
Answer: Dras or Kargilin J & K.

Question 4. Name an important area of winter rainfall in south India.
Answer: Tamil Nadu.

Question 5. Give an important area receiving rainfall from the western disturbances.
Answer: North-West India.

Question 6. Name two areas receiving annual rainfall below 20 cm.
Answer: The western extremity of Rajasthan and the region in the north-east of Ladakh range in J & K.

Question 7. Name the ranges which receive the heaviest rainfall.
Answer: Western Ghats and Meghalaya plateau.

Question 8. What do you mean by the word monsoon?
Answer: Monsoon is an Arabic word. It means season.

Question 9. Name one rainshadow region of India.
Answer: The eastern slopes of the Eastern Ghats of the Deccan Plateau.

Question 10. Which wind controls the rainfall in India?
Answer: South-West Monsoon Wind.

Question 11. Which region of India receives scanty rainfall?
Answer: Western India (Thar Desert).

Question 12. Name the winter months of India.
Answer: December to February.

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 13. Name the rainy months of India.
Answer: June to September.

Question 14. Name a rainshadow region of India.
Answer: Karnataka Plateau.

Question 15. Which place in India records the highest rainfall?
Answer: Mousinram.

Question 16. Mention the factors affecting the Indian climate.
Answer: The main factors affecting the Indian climate are:
1. Relief,
2. Temperature,
3. Nearness to sea,
4. Continentality,
5. Presence of forest,
6. Humidity.

Question 17. What is a rainy day?
Answer: A rainy day in India is defined as one in which at least 2.5 mm of rain has been gauged in 24 hours.

WBBSE Class 10 Geography Solutions India – Climate Of India 2 Marks Questions And Answers:

Question 1. What is Western Disturbance?
Answer:

Western Disturbance:

During the winter season, cyclonic disturbances come from the Mediterranean region. They enter India from the northwest and give some rainfall to the North Western India, Gangetic plains, and snowfall in the Himalayan region. These depressions coming from the west disrupt the quiet weather in winter and, therefore, are called Western Disturbances.

Question 2. What is ‘Kal Baishakhi’?
Answer:

‘Kal Baishakhi’:

In summer rainfall is not high. Various parts of the country have local low pressures which bring in strong winds together with rainfall, thunder, and lightning. Such storms are called ‘Kal Baisakhi’ in West Bengal.

Question 3. Why does Kolkata experience the hot-most weather in summer?
Answer:

During summer, S.W. Monsoon winds blow which bring water from the Indian Ocean. Hence it gives rainfall in summer. Thus; Kolkata experiences hot moist weather in summer.

Question 4. What is the rainshadow area?
Answer:

Rainshadow area:

When moisture-laden winds come in contact with a mountain, they give rainfall to the windward side. On the leeward side, as the air descends, its temperature increases, the winds become compressed and warmed adaptively at the dry lapse rate which is rapid. As the winds descend, they become drier and drier resulting in very small rainfall or no rainfall. This leeward side is known as the ‘rainshadow area’.

Question 5. What is meant by ‘burst of monsoon’?
Answer:

‘Burst of monsoon’:

The southwest monsoon in India is noted for its dramatic arrival with a rainy spell of weather continuing for some days. It is called the ‘burst’ which takes place by the end of May in Kerala and by the 7th of June in West Bengal. By July the whole of India is brought under the influence of monsoon.

Question 6. Why does the Tamil Nadu coast receive rainfall twice a year?
Answer:

Most of the rain by the S.W. monsoon falls on the western coast of India in the summer season and on the Tamil Nadu coast, the amount of rainfall is not much. But in the winter season, N.E. monsoon winds blow. When they cross the Bay of Bengal, they are full of water vapor and moisture. As a result, they give rain to the coast in winter.

Question 7. Why is the ‘Kalbaishakhi’ called ‘Nor’wester’?
Answer:

Nor’westers are violent local storms. They often form during the summer in regions where deep humid clouds from the seas meet hot dry land winds. They are called Nor’westers because the storms usually come from the northwest, and they are known in Bengal as ‘Kalbaisakhi’, i.e., calamity in the month of Baisakh.

These storms are accompanied by violent winds, torrential rain, and hail. Very dry sandstorms of western India, called Andhi are also called Norwesters.

Class 10 Geography West Bengal Board

Question 8. Where is the highest rainfall region of the world located?
Answer:

Mousinram (near Cherrapunji) in India receives the highest rainfall in the world. It is located in Meghalaya state.

Question 9. Why does the winter season in India experience dry weather?
Answer:

During winter N.E. Monsoon winds blow which come from land. Hence they are very dry. This winter season in India experiences dry weather.

Question 10. What is ‘Mango Showers’?
Answer:

‘Mango Showers’:

In summer due to the formation of local low pressure, strong winds together with rainfall, thunder, and lightning occur in parts of South India, This weather phenomenon is called ‘Mango Showers’.

Question 11. What is Loo?
Answer:

Loo:

In May the temperature rises as high as 48°C in the desert region of India. This high temperature causes a hot, dry wind to blow during the daytime over northwestern India. This wind over the Gangetic plain is called Loo.

Question 12. What is ‘Andhi’?
Answer:

‘Andhi’:

During summer months the desert of Rajasthan gets intensely heated. The high temperature causes a hot dry wind to blow during the daytime over north-western India. In Rajasthan, it is called ‘Andhi’.

Question 13. Mention three regions that receive rainfall of more than 200 cm annually.
Answer:

The regions receiving rainfall more than 200 cm annually in India are:

1. Western slopes of the Western Ghats,
2. Eastern Himalayas – Mizoram, North Bengal And
3. Andaman & Nicobar groups of islands.

Question 14. What is the meaning of the term ‘Monsoon’?
Answer:

‘Monsoon’:

During summer most wind from south-westerly directs blows almost all over India which brings rain & during winter dry north-easterly winds blow. These reverse winds are monsoon. The word monsoon has been derived from the Arabic word ‘Mausam’ which means season as monsoon is a seasonal wind.

Question 15. Explain why Delhi is rainier than Jodhpur.
Answer:

The arabian sea branch of the monsoon moves over the Acer of Rajasthan where Jodhpur is located without giving rain because of extreme aridity. The Aravallis lie parallel to the wind direction of $.W. monsoon because of which winds moving over this area give only scanty rain. On the other hand, Delhi gets moderate rain as the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon meets the Bay of Bengal branch. These two branches jointly. cause moderate rainfall in this area.

Question 16. Name two states where ‘mango showers’ are a common phenomenon.
Answer: ‘Mangoshowers’ are commonly experienced in the states of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

Question 17. When the Malabar coasts receive heavy rainfall in July, the Tamil Nadu coast is comparatively dry. Critically analyze the statement.
Answer: The southwest monsoons cause heavy rainfall on the Malabar coast after striking against the Western Ghat but Tamil Nadu does not receive much rainfall because it is situated in the rainshadow area.

Class 10 Geography West Bengal Board

Question 18. The coastal areas of India do not experience significant variations in temperature between the summer and winter months.
Answer: The coastal areas do not experience much variation in temperature because they are influenced by the moderating effect of the sea.

Question 19. Name two types of cyclonic systems that affect the Indian sub-continent and two areas that receive rainfall from these systems.
Answer: Tropical cyclones in coastal areas of the Indian sub-continent and western disturbances in northwest India and Pakistan.

Question 20. Name the two branches of the South-West Monsoon.
Answer: Arabian Sea Branch and the Bay of Bengal Branch.

Question 21. Name two states receiving Mango Showers in India.
Answer: Kerala and Karnataka/Tamil Nadu.

WBBSE Class 10 Geography Solutions India – Climate Of India Short Notes:

Question 1. Western disturbance.
Answer:

Western disturbance

In winter weather is characterised by clear skies, high pressure, low humidity and rainless days. However, this fine weather in India is occasionally disturbed by cyclonic depressions. These weather disturbances originate in the east Mediterranean region and travel eastwards across Iran and Pakistan. They bring rain in areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and U.P. Sometimes they invade up to West Bengal. They also cause rainfall in North-Western Himalayas. As these winds come from the West, they are popularly known as Western Disturbances. They are very frequent in December, January and February.

Question 2. Ashwiner Jhar.
Answer:

Ashwiner Jhar:

As the southwest monsoon retreats, the northeast monsoon winds approach and they collide, resulting in the formation of cyclones, particularly known as ‘Ashwin Jhar’ or the storms of the autumn. They give some rain. Sometimes these cyclones get the such speed and velocity that they become devastating and they cause great havoc to life and property. They caused havoc in Bangladesh in 1970, in Andhra in 1977, and in Orissa in 1999.

Question 3. Nor’westers.
Answer:

Nor’westers:

In summer, North India is a region of rising temperature and decreasing air pressure. Air over the heated Indian landmass rises and slowly air from the adjoining cooler seas moves in to fill the vacuum. Violent local storms accompanied with thundershowers and hail are common in North India in the months of April and May.

Class 10 Geography West Bengal Board

In Assam and West Bengal, there are thunderstorms called ‘Kalbaisakhi’ or “Nor’westers’. ‘Kalbaisakhi’, i.e., calamity in the month of Baisakh. They are called ‘Mango Showers’ in Kerela, ‘Bordoichillah’ in Assam, ‘Cherry Blossoms’ in Karnataka – and Tamil Nadu.

Question 4. Vagaries of Monsoon.
Answer:

Vagaries of Monsoon:

About 70% of the population of India depends on agriculture, which in its turn, is primarily controlled by the rainfall caused by the South-West monsoon. Droughts and floods are two contrasting features of the summer monsoon seasons in India. They frequently occur in one part of the country or the other and in one year or the other. A weak monsoon in a year causes drought in many areas, especially in drought-prone areas in North-West India, whereas a strong monsoon in some other year causes floods in many rivers from excessive rainfall. It may be mentioned here that a normal feature of the summer monsoon in India is the occurrence of rainy spells of weather with intervening drier weather conditions. If, however, a dry spell persists too long, drought may also occur even in years of normal rainfall in amount and causes crops to wither in the field. So, if rain does not fall timely and in requisite amount, agriculture is greatly affected causing great distress to the people of India.

Question 5. El-Nino.
Answer:

El-Nino:

El-Nino is a warm surface ocean current which appears off the coast of Peru in South America. It is a temporary replacement of cold Peruvian current flowing along that coast. It happens to increase the temperature of tropical Pacific waters by about 10°C causing flood and drought in the tropical regions of the world. India lying in the tropical region also experiences such flood or drought situations due to its effect.

WBBSE Class 10 Geography Solutions India – Climate Of India 3 Marks Questions And Answers:

Question 1. Cherrapunji-Mousinram receives the highest rainfall in the world. Why?
Answer:

Cherrapunji-Mousinram receives the highest rainfall in the world.

Mousinram is in the Meghalaya Plateau. It is the wettest place in the world. The orographic feature of the Meghalaya Plateau has a pronounced effect in making it the wettest part of India.

Mousinram, situated about 16 km west of Cherrapunji, records the highest rainfall in the world, averaging 13,924 mm. That this highest rainfall occurs in the Cherrapunji Mousinram region is due to the fact that the Bay Monsoon, laden with a huge amount of moisture from the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, blows over Bangladesh and is suddenly cut by the cliffs of the highland in the North about 1200 m which just like a peninsula into the surrounding gorge about 600 m deep on either side. The topography causes the monsoon winds reaching the head of the gorge to ascend vertically upwards and pour down very heavy rainfall.

Class 10 Geography West Bengal Board

Question 2. Why are floods and drought prevalent in India?
Answer:

Cause of prevalence of floods:

1) An early and heavy monsoonal rain (causes floods mainly in Assam).
2) A prolonged rainy season.
3) continuous rain throughout the rainy season (causes floods in Bihar and West Bengal).

Apart from these physical reasons, some socio-economic reasons are also important.
(1) Heavy siltation at the artificial reservoirs.
(2) Urban and industrial development that retards the natural flow of rivers.
(3) Less infiltration and increased surface flow of rainwater.

Causes of the prevalence of drought:
(1) A delayed monsoon.
(2) A short duration of the rainy season.
(3) Long intervals among rains.

The socio-economic reasons are:
(1) Over-exploitation of groundwater.
(2) Deforestation.
(3) Global Warming.

Question 3. Name the climatic regions of India.
Answer:

The climatic regions of India are as follows:

1. Tropical very humid monsoon.
2. Tropical Savanna.
3. Tropic with dry summer & humid winter region.
4. Tropical, Semi-arid & sub-tropical, Steppe region.
5. Hot desert region.
6. Temperate with short summer & cold humid region.
7. Humid tropical monsoon region with dry winters.
8. Cold mountain type of climate region.

School Geography Class 10 WBBSE

Question 4. Mention the influence of monsoon climate on Indian Life.
Answer:

Monsoon plays a dynamic role in Indian life:

1. Success of agriculture depends on the good yield of Kharif food crops and cash crops, like Rice, sugarcane, cotton, tea, jute, etc. Winter crops also depend on monsoon rain, like Wheat, barley, pulses, oilseeds, etc.
2. Development of agro-based industries has an indirect influence on monsoon. Good yield of cash crops supports the agro-based industry as well as they are foreign exchange-earners.
3. Forest growth: the vast resource of tropical evergreen, as well as deciduous forests, is the gift of monsoon.

Question 5. Give at least three important reasons why the western part of Rajasthan remains almost dry during the South-West monsoon season.
Answer:

1. This area is located far away from the moderating influence of the sea.
2. The Aravallis are parallel to the S. W. monsoon winds & fail to obstruct these winds.
3. Since the area has poor vegetation, it is not conducive to precipitation.
4. Hot and dry condition leads to retardation of precipitation.
5. The Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon becomes dry till it reaches this area.

Question 6. Why is the distribution of rainfall in India uneven? Give at least three reasons.
Answer:

Causes of Uneven Distribution of Rainfall in India:

India is a huge country. It gets its rainfall mainly from the South-West monsoon. These are, however, governed by relief or orography.

Therefore, the causes of the uneven distribution of rainfall are:

1. The Arabian sea branch of the monsoon is obstructed by the Western Ghats. The windward side of the Sahyadris receives very heavy rains (over 250 cm, however, the seaward side is hardly able to receive 50 cm).
2. Another part of the Arabian sea branch strikes the Saurashtra peninsula and the Kutchchh. It passes over west Rajasthan & along the Aravallis causing only a scanty rainfall. This is because there is no obstruction on their path as Aravallis lie parallel to the winds.
3. The Bay of Bengal branch enters West Bengal and Bangladesh and splits into two. One branch moves up the Brahmaputra valley in the north and northeast causing rains in North-eastern India. Therefore, it causes heavy rains in Garo and Khasi hills andCherrapunji.

Question 7. Why is there a large desert in Rajasthan?
Answer:

The influence of the Arabian Sea Branch scarcely reaches north of the Gulf of Khambat; further north, a part of these winds passes over the desert of Rajasthan and goes straight to the foothills of the Himalayas without giving any rain.
The Aravalli Range lies almost parallel to the direction of the wind. Hence, it gives no obstruction, and that is why no rainfall occurs. Again, the feeble Bay of Bengal current which reaches western Rajasthan fails to produce any rain. Thus western Rajasthan remains almost rainless presenting the Thar desert.

School Geography Class 10 WBBSE

Question 8. What is the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)? How does it attract southwest monsoon?
Answer:

Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

This is the zone near the equator where northeast trade winds from the northern hemisphere and the southeast trade winds from the southern hemisphere meet each other. It changes its position with the march of the vertical rays of the sun. It is near the Tropic of Cancer in the north in summer season and near the Tropic of Capricorn in the south in the winter season. It is at about 25°N latitude in summer, as a result of which the southeast trade winds cross over the equator and enter India as southwest monsoon.

Question 9. Give three important characteristics of the summer monsoon rainfall.
Answer:
1. Seasonal rainfall.
2. Uncertain and unreliable rainfall.
3. Uneven distribution of rainfall.

Question 10. Name the rainiest and driest parts of India. Why are they so?

Answer: Mausinram near Cherrapunji with 1221 cm of annual rainfall is the rainiest part of India. The southwest monsoon winds reach Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills and have to rise suddenly because the hills are funnel-shaped. This causes heavy rainfall. The driest part is Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. This is due to its location far away from the sea.

Question 11. Give five examples with reference to the distribution of rainfall and the effect of relief on its distribution.
Answer:
1. Heavy rainfall on the west coastal plain due to the Western Ghats.
2. Low rainfall in the rain shadow area of the Western Ghats.
3. Heavy rainfall in Meghalaya due to the slope of the hills.
4. Low rainfall in Rajasthan due to the direction of the Aravalli Range.
5. Effect of the Himalayas on the direction of the monsoons.

Question 12. Rainfall decreases as one goes up the Ganga plain. Why?
Answer:

Rainfall decreases as one goes up the Ganga plain.

After heavy rainfall in the eastern Himalayan region, the monsoon wind takes a left turn and blows towards the west. On its way rainfall occurs. But the percentage of water vapour decreases and rainfall also decreases. Eastern India receives 200 to 300 cm of rainfall, but northern India receives only 50 to 70 cm rainfall.

School Geography Class 10 WBBSE

Question 13. Write the features of rainfall in India.
Answer:

Features of Rainfall in India:

The main features of the rainfall in India are:

1. There is rainfall over three months and the rest of the year is mostly dry. Seventy per cent of the annual rainfall occurs in the rainy season.
2. The rains are mainly of relief type. The windward slopes of the mountains get more rainfall than the leeward side.
3. Only a small portion of the rainfall is received from sources other than monsoons, like cyclonic rainfall and convectional rainfall.
4. The quantity and the time of occurrence of rainfall cannot be predicted as the rainfall is erratic. It is because of this uncertainty that sometimes there are floods; and sometimes droughts.
5. India has an agrarian economy dependent on rainfall. As such rainfall affects the economy of the country.

Question 14. Give an account of the areas which receive rainfall in the winter season.
Answer:

There are some areas which do receive rainfall in the winter season. They are:

1. Central parts of India and northern parts of the southern Peninsular region get occasional rainfall in winter.
2. Some weak temperate cyclones from the Mediterranean sea cause rainfall in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh. Though the amount of this rainfall is meagre, it is quite beneficial for the rabi crops.
3. The northeastern part of India also gets rainfall during the winter months. Arunachal Pradesh and Assam get rains between 25 mm and 50 mm during winter.
4. In the months of October and November, the north-east monsoon while crossing over the Bay of Bengal, picks up moisture and brings torrential rainfall over parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu coast.

Question 15. Distinguish between the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal Branch of South-West Monsoon winds.
Answer:

Difference between the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal Branch of South-West Monsoon winds

Question 16. ‘Temperature in India varies from place to place’. Comment.
Answer:

‘Temperature in India varies from place to place’.

Seasonal variations in temperature occur from place to place and from region to region. Variations in temperature are found also at a single place and in a single day. Examples of these variations are:

School Geography Class 10 WBBSE

1. Barmer in Rajasthan may record a temperature of 48°C or 50°C on a June day, while it hardly reaches 22°C at Pahalgam or Gulmarg in Kashmir on the same day.
2. Kerala has a tropical climate with warm and moist air, whereas Punjab has continental climate with severe heat alternating with a severe cold.
3. The temperature touches —40°C in Kargil in the month of December whereas Kerala records 20°C or 22°C in the same month.
4. Temperature rises up to 50°C in Rajasthan during summer while in Dras near Kargil, the temperature may go down to —40°C during winter.
5. The annual range of temperature is 3°C along the Malabar Coast and more than 20°C in the interiors.
6. The difference between day and night temperatures in the Andaman Islands and Kerala is hardly seven or eight-degree celsius, whereas in the Thar desert it is between 25 to 30°C. at

Question 17. Explain the difference in the type and content of precipitation across India.
Answer:

The difference in the type and content of precipitation across India

Variations occur not only in the type of precipitation but also in its amount. Snowfall occurs in the Himalayas, whereas it only rains over the rest of the country.

1. Cherrapunji and Mausinram in Meghalaya get about 1100 cm rain over the year, whereas Jaisalmer in Rajasthan hardly receives 9:cm of rainfall in a year.
2. A place called Tura in Meghalaya gets an amount of rainfall in a single day which is equal to 10 years of rainfall at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.
3. The Coromandal Coast remains dry in the months of July and August, whereas the Ganga delta and the coastal plains of Orissa are hit by strong storms almost every third or fifth day during these months.
4. Most parts of India receive rainfall during June-September, but the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu also get rains in the beginning of the winter season.

Question 18. What are the features of Indian climate?
Answer:

Features of Indian Climate:

1. Tropical monsoon type of climate.
2. Diversity in climatic conditions.
3. Monsoon mechanism dominates the climate.
4. Presence of four distinct seasons in the year.
5. Tropical depressions or Bay cyclones in late monsoons.
6. Westerly depressions causing rainfall in winter in North India.

Question 19. State some characteristics of monsoon.
Answer:

Characteristics of Monsoon:

1. Monsoons are erratic in nature.
2. Monsoons are unevenly spread and sporadic.
3. Monsoon rains are orographic in nature.
4. Monsoons bring rain in summer.
5. Monsoon rains determine the economic state of the country by controlling agricultural prosperity.
6. Some of the rain occurs due to tropical depressions.

Question 20. Explain briefly three effects of climatic changes observed in the Sundarban region.
Answer:

Global warming and climate change compound the dangers to the Sundarbans. These low-lying mangrove forests are highly susceptible to the effects of sea-level rise-including inundation of coastal areas, increased exposure to storm surges, in- creased coastal erosion, and rising salinity in ground and surface waters.

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Question 21. Write the impact of monsoon rainfall on soil, natural vegetation, and agriculture.
Answer:

Impact of monsoon rainfall on soil, natural vegetation, and agriculture

Monsoonal climate is primarily evident in tropical countries like India where more than 75% of the annual rainfall is caused by monsoons. Removal of the top soil layer is caused by heavy downpours. The top soil retains plant nutrients and hence agricultural productivity. suffers when there is soil erosion. The luxuriant growth of evergreen vegetation is noticed in areas of heavy rainfall. Dry deciduous forests grow in the rainshadow areas of the Deccan plateau. Little rainfall in the north-western part of India has produced a desert there with thorny scrubs and stunted trees. The impact of monsoon is mostly felt in the agricultural fields as our cropping season entirely depends on the timely arrival and departure of monsoon. This whimsical nature of monsoon causes disruption of regular cropping seasons and affects agricultural yield. Sometimes heavy rainfall leads to a devastating flood that causes crop failure. Scanty rainfall or short summer monsoon may cause extensive drought condition when no crop can be produced.

Question 22. Compare between Retreating S.W. Monsoon and North-East Monsoon.
Answer:

Comparison between Retreating S.W. Monson & N.E. Monsoon:

India – Climate Of India 5 Marks Questions And Answers:

Question 1. Name and describe the rainfall regions of India.
Answer:

There are five rainfall zones in India. They are the following:

(1) Excessive rainfall regions: Regions experiencing 320 cm of rainfall or more, include the parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and mountainous tracts of the Western Ghat.

(2) Heavy rainfall regions: Regions experiencing 200 to 320 cm rainfall, include parts of Maharashtra (Western Ghat), Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and West Bengal.

(3) Moderate rainfall region: Regions with 100 to 200 cm of rainfall, including major parts of West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and some parts of other states.
(4) Scanty rainfall regions: Regions having 50 to 100 cm of rainfall, include the parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, ay Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh.
(5) Desert and semi-desert regions: Regions having below 50 cm of rainfall, include desert and semi-desert parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and adjoining regions.

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Question 2. Describe the seasons of India.
Answer:

Seasons of India: The Meteorological Department of the Government of India has divided the climate of India into four seasons on the basis of the arrival and departure of the monsoons, total annual rainfall, temperature, air pressure, etc.

1. Winter Season or Cold Weather Season(December to February): The winter season lasts for 3 months in India. Sunrays fall vertically on the tropics in the southern hemisphere, while in the northern hemisphere they fall obliquely. The oblique rays, therefore, cause the temperature to decrease over the whole of India. The cool and dry northeast monsoon winds blow over India to the equatorial low-pressure region to the south.

The temperature during the winter season: Compared to south India the temperature over north India is low in winter. The average temperature is between 10°C to 15°C over north India. In winter the mountain regions of north India have temperatures below the freezing point. In 1991, during winter the Lahul, Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh experience the lowest temperatures, below —40°C which continued for some days. In the Kashmir and Kumaon Himalayas too the temperatures fell far below the freezing point at that time. In 1995 the Ladakh region of Kashmir experienced temperatures below —50°C in January. in winter the isotherm line shows temperatures to be rising gradually from the North to the South until it is 25°C over Tamil Nadu.

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Rainfall during the winter season: The northeast monsoon winds are dry, so there is little rainfall in winter in India. But these winds pick up moisture while blowing over the Bay of Bengal and give rainfall to the Coromandal Coast of Tamil Nadu. Sometimes from the Mediterranean regions, cyclonic disturbances enter India from the northwest and give some rainfall to this north-western area, the Ganga Plains and snowfall in the Himalayan region. These depressions coming from the west disrupt the quiet weather in winter and are, therefore, called Western Disturbances.

 

2. Summer Season or Hot Weather Season(March to May): This season lasts for 3months. By the end of March, the temperature starts rising in India. The vertical rays of the sun nearly reach the Tropic of Cancer after passing through the middle of India by the month of May. Thus the temperatures shoot up over the mainland of India.

The temperature during the summer season: In May the temperatures rise from 38° to. 40°C over Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Over the desert regions of Rajasthan, it is nearly 48°C. This results in the formation of an intense low-pressure cell over the desert region. The nearness of the ocean in South India does not allow the temperature to increase very high. The high temperature causes a hot, dry wind to blow during the daytime over northwestern India. Over the Indo-Ganga Plain, it is called the Loo and in Rajasthan, it is called Andhi.

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Rainfall during the summer season: In summer rainfall is not high. Various parts of the country have local low pressure which brings in strong together with rainfall, thunder, and lighting. Such storms are called Kal Baisakhi in west Bengal , ‘Bordoichila in Assam, and Mango Showers in South India

3. Rainy Season or South-West Monsoon Season (June to September): The rainy season lasts for 4 months in India. The strong low-pressure cell formed over the desert region of Rajasthan in summer attracts moist winds from the far-off Indian Ocean. As these winds come from the southwest, they are called the South-West Monsoon winds. By the first week of June, this monsoon wind enters India and the whole of India comes under its influence by the 15th of July. The arrival of the southwest monsoon is heralded by overcast skies and the sudden thunder and lightning that accompanies the heavy rainfall. As the monsoon suddenly begins with all this light and sound, it is called the Burst of Monsoon.

The south-west monsoon winds are divided into two branches:
(1)Arabian Sea Branch and
(2)Bay of Bengal Branch.

(1)Arabian Sea Branch: The Arabian Sea Branch of the monsoons is first obstructed by the Western Ghats; they are forced to rise and give heavy rainfall. Becoming lighter they cross the mountain and blow down the slopes to the east to the interior of the plateau giving little rainfall. The eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, therefore, form the rainshadow area, receiving little rainfall. Some of the Arabian Sea branches of the monsoon move further northwards blowing over Gujarat and part of Rajasthan.
(2) Bay of Bengal Branch: The Eastern Himalayas and the Purbanchal Mountains obstruct the path of the Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoons as the winds arrive. Thus, on the southern slopes of the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, Mausinram near Cherrapunji receives the highest rainfall in the world, 1250 cm. Then this branch of monsoon divides into 2 branches, one moving to the Brahmaputra Valley in the east and the other moving to Bihar and U.P. in the west.

Rainfall during southwest monsoon season: To the total annual rainfall in India nearly 75% to 80% of the rainfall occurs in the rainy season. The maximum rainfall occurs in the west coastal plain and north-eastern mountainous region of India where the rainfall is more than 200 cm. Except for the desert region, northwestern India receives 60 to 200 cm of rainfall.

The temperature during southwest monsoon season: The sky is mainly overcast during this season and rainfall occurs heavily. So, the temperature is low over the entire India. In North India, it varies between 20° to 25°C and in South India, it varies between 20° to
30°C.

4. Autumn Season or Retreating South-West Monsoon Season (October to November): It lasts for 2 months. In the apparent annual movement of the sun, the vertical rays of the sun now move from the Equator to the Tropic of Capricorn. The rainfall in the previous season lowers the temperature over the Indian mainland. So the low-pressure cell disappears and the southwest monsoon wind retreats from India. With the rains departing the skies become clear.

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Temperature and rainfall during the autumn season: Clear skies cause temperatures to rise for some time. But the gradual arrival of the northeast monsoon winds from cold Central Asia lowers the temperature to a certain extent. The coastal regions in India experience cyclonic rainfall. This is also known as the October rains. These rains are not heavy but cause great damage to life and property.

Question 3. Discuss the influence of the South-West monsoon on India.
Answer:

The influence of the South-West monsoon on India may be discussed as follows:

1. For the tremendous influence of the South-West Monsoon, India is often called ‘the land of monsoon’. The whole of the Indian climate remains within the grip of mon- soon throughout the year. It rules over the summer and parts of autumn. The North-East monsoon comes in the winter climate.

2. The South-West monsoon is responsible for the great amount of rainfall that occurred in India. From the early part of June, the South-West monsoon begins to invade the land of India. It brings moisture from the Southern Seas (the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal). It gives rain all over the country; the distribution of rainfall, however, is not even all over; it is uneven according to the layout of the mountains and relief features. North-east India receives maximum rainfall (over 300 cm); the western part of the Western Ghats receives heavy rainfall (250 to 350 cm); the other parts of India receive a sufficient amount of rainfall (average between 130 and 175 cm); the north-western parts and western parts get low rainfall; and the lowest rainfall occurs in Rajasthan.

3. The fate of Indian agriculture largely depends on the southwest monsoon. It influences the cultivation of various types of crops for which India is famous. A variety of crops are grown for the uneven distribution of rainfall caused by the South-West
monsoon.

4. It is to the influence of the South-West monsoon, India has become a resourceful agriculturist country.

5. The whole of the Indian economy is largely influenced by the South-West. monsoon. Sometimes, monsoon failures cause great disasters. Again, the success of the monsoon brings smiles to the poverty-stricken Indian farmers.

6. The country’s major agro-based industries (cotton textiles, jute textiles, tea) also depend on the South-West monsoon and the success of agriculture. Thus, we see that the influence of south-west monsoon on India is of great import- ance. In fact, the South-West monsoon is one of the great resources of India.

Question 4. What are the controlling factors of the Indian climate? Discuss in brief.
Answer:

The controlling factors of Indian climate are:

1. Latitudinal location: Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country. As a result, the southern half of the country falls in the Tropical zone while the northern half is in the warm temperate zone. But the country, on the whole, experiences a tropical temperate climate.

2. Monsoon winds: The word is derived from the Arabic word mausim, meaning season. Actually, monsoon winds are the enlarged form of land breezes and sea breezes. The land breeze and sea breeze blow for six months from sea and the other six months from land masses. In the summer season of the Northern hemisphere low-pressure area is formed over the central hilly and mountainous region of Asia while a high-pressure area is formed in the southern hemisphere. The result is that winds blow from the South of the equator to the North and according to Ferrel’s law, they deflect towards the right. Thus the winds blow from a south-westerly direction. These are known as S.W. monsoon winds.

They divide into two branches: the Arabian Sea Branch and the Bay of Bengal Branch. They strike against the Western Ghat mountains giving
early and heavy rain to the coasts of Konkan and Malabar. The S.W. monsoon then loses its moisture and gives no rain or little rain to the Deccan trap (leeward side). Again, when it crosses the Bay of Bengal the winds become moisture-laden and join the Bay branch. It gives rain after striking the eastern Himalayas. Thus Andaman and Nicobar islands experience equatorial rainfall throughout the year and the western coast receives the first downpour of SW monsoon after striking the eastern Himalayas and giving rain to N.E. India and West Bengal. The monsoon currents move westward and give rainfall to the northern plain in the last week of June.

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In winter the dry north-east monsoon brings rainfall to the eastern coast (the Tamil Nadu coast) after taking moisture from the Bay of Bengal. During winter the low pressure of the Bay helps in the formation of the cyclonic storm that strikes the coast of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

3. Inter Tropical Convergence: In the winter the Indian climate is influenced by the western disturbances originating from the Mediterranean sea and characterised by snowfall or rainfall (its influence is seen sometimes upto the plains of West Bengal also). Kashmir, Punjab, and Western U.P. receive snowfall or rain during this time.

4. Mountains: Mountains play a significant role in influencing the Indian climate. The Himalayas on one side obstruct the cold winter winds from coming over to India, otherwise, the country would have been a cold desert like Tibet, and on the other side, checks the moisture-laden SW monsoon winds resulting in rainfall throughout the country. Again, the Aravalli range is situated parallel to the direction of NE and SW monsoon
winds making the region rainless.

5. El-Nino and La-Nina: El-Nino is a warm surface ocean current that appears off the coast of Peru in South America. It is a temporary replacement of the cold Peruvian current flowing along that coast. It happens to increase the temperature of tropical Pacific waters by about 10°C causing flood and drought in the tropical regions of the world. India lying in the Tropical region also experiences such flood or drought situations due to its effect. La-Nina or anti-El-Nino is the cooling of surface ocean water along the tropical west coast of South America. It causes heavier summer monsoons in southeast Asia. This benefits the Indian economy, which depends on monsoons for agriculture and industry.

Question 5. Give an account of the summer monsoon and winter monsoon in brief.
Answer:

Summer monsoon and winter monsoon

Monsoons are periodic seasonal winds. They develop because of differential heating as well as cooling of land and sea. They are divided into two wind systems the Summer Monsoon and the Winter Monsoon.

Summer Monsoons: In summer, the land gets heated more than the sea. Hence there develops a center of low pressure on the land. Over the adjoining sea, the air is comparatively cool, and a high pressure develops there. This causes the winds to blow from the sea to the land. It is the ‘Summer Monsoon’.

In May, June, and July, the plains of the Indian subcontinent are heated by the vertical rays of the sun. The intense heat develops a low pressure. During these months, over the Indian Ocean, a high-pressure area develops. So, the winds blow from the Indian Ocean northward and northwestward into Asia. As they blow from the sea to the land, they bring heavy rainfall in some parts of the Indian subcontinent. The summer monsoon winds blow south-west; so they are known as the ‘South-West
Summer Monsoon’.

Winter Monsoons: During the winter season, the conditions are just the reverse of those in summers. A high pressure develops over a big landmass stretching from Central Asia upto the northwest Indian plain. At the same time, a low-pressure zone develops in the Indian Ocean. As the winds blow from the land to the sea, they bring cold dry weather. They are incapable of producing rain.

When these winds blow overseas and pass over the adjoining land, they bring some rainfall. The Southern Coromandal Coast (Tamil Nadu) in India gets rain from winter monsoons. The winter monsoon winds blow northeast; so the monsoon is known as the ‘North-East Winter Monsoon’.

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Question 6. How does monsoon result: in drought and flood? Explain.
Answer:

Drought: Drought is a distress situation caused by the failure of rainfall when surface water is in short supply and groundwater loses its potentiality. A drought condition adversely affects the biotic life of the area. The rainfall may be insufficient and may not occur at the required time. Thus the quantum as well the time of rainfall both are important. However, drought is a relative phenomenon in the sense that the amount of moisture available is not as important as its effectiveness.

Droughts in India occur in the event of a weak southwest monsoon. A weak monsoon results in deficient rainfall and so droughts occur. Droughts also occur due to late arrival or early withdrawal of the monsoon. Prolonged breaks. in the monsoon during the rainy season also result in droughts. Although a drought may occur at any time and in any part of the country, most of the drought-prone areas are those having marginal rainfall and high variability of rainfall. i

Floods: A flood is a state of high water level along a river channel or on the sea coast that leads to inundation of land which is not submerged in normal circumstances. Flood is an attribute of the physical environment and this is an important component of the hydrological cycle of a drainage basin. As drought occurs due to the failure of rainfall, floods are the result of heavy rainfall. Thus droughts and floods are the extreme ends of the hydrological cycle. Flood is a natural phenomenon in response to heavy rainfall but it becomes a hazard when it inflicts loss to lives and properties of people.

Floods comprise another natural climate that India has to face almost every year. Floods are caused by excessive rainfall by the southwest monsoons, tropical cyclones in the pre and post-monsoon periods, silting of the river beds, changes in the river courses, and deforestation.