CHAPTER

7
Climate
SYLLABUS
Climate

Distribution of Temperature., Rainfal, winds in Summer and Winter and factors affecting the climate of the area. Monsoon and
its mechanism.
" Seasons: March to May Summer; June to September Monsoon; October to November Retreating Monsoon.
December to February- Winter.

India has a tropical monsoon type of climate. DISTRIBUTION OF TEMPERATURE

This is because India lies in the tropical belt Seasonal variations in temperature occur
and its climate is influenced by the monsoon from place to_place and from region to region.
winds which are largely confined to the Variations in temperature are found also at a
Tropics, i.e., between 20°N and 20°s. The single place and in a single day. Examples of
main characteristics of this type of climate are these variations are:
relatively high temperatures and dry winters. 1. Barmer in Rajasthan may record a
However, the Himalayas in the north and the temperature of 48°C or 50°C on a June
Indian Ocean in the south provide distinctive day, while it hardly reaches 22°C at
climatic conditions to India. The Himalayan Pahalgam or Gulmarg in Kashmir on the
ranges protect northern India from the cold same day. However, in Dras near Kargil,
winds of Central Asia and Siberia and give it the temperatures may go down to 40°C
a continental climate, the characteristics of during winter.
2. Kerala has tropical climate with warm and
which are theprevalence of land winds, dryness moist air, whereas Punjab has continental
of air and large diurnal range of temperature. climate with severe heat alternating with
The Indian Ocean in the south gives it a hot severe cold.
monsoon climate more typical of the tropical gM
than of the temperate zone.
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.
Regional Variations
Despite the broad unity of the monsoon type 4 The annual range of temperature is3°C along
of climate, variations in climate occur in the Malabar Coast and more than 20°C in
the interiors.
different regions of the country. For example,
the climatic conditions of Bihar and Uttar 5. The difference between day and night
Pradesh in the north differ fromn that of Kerala temperatures in the Andaman Islands
and Kerala is hardly seven or eight degree
and Tamil Nadu in the south; yet all of these celsius, whereas in the Thar desert it is
States have a similar monsoon type of climate.
These variations are expressed in the pattern
between 25°C to 30°C. dire
Of winds, temperature and rainfall, rhythm of Precipitation
Seasons and the degree of wetness or dryness. Variations occur not only in the type of
These regional diversities are known as the precipitation but also in its amount and the
Sub-types of monsoon climate. seasonal distribution. Snowfall occurs in the

CLIMATE
 Mimalayas, whereas it only rains over the rest
Sf the country
1, Cherrapunjiand Mawsynram in Megalaya
get about 1100en rain in a year, whereas
Jaisalmer in Rajasthan hardly receives Gcm
of rainfall in a year.
Tura in Meghalaya gets ani armount of rainfall
in a single day which is equal to 10 years
of rainfall at Jaisalmer in Kajasthan
3, The Coromandel Const rermains dry in the
months of July and August, whereas the
Ganga delta and thecoastal plains of Odisha
are hit by strong storms almost every third
or fifth day during these months.
. Most parts of India receive rainfall during
June- September, but the coastal areas of
Tamil Nadu get rains in the beginning of
the winter season.
ARABSAN SEA
FACTORS AFFECTING THE
CLIMATE OF INDIA * No Raintall in Rajasthan
becominga cold
Climate refers to a generalised and cormposite Indian region and frorn India moisture laden
picture of the average weather conditions sprecad desert but they also force the rainall in
South West Monsoon wínds
to shed
The
over a long period, for a given large area.India region
factors which influence the climate of Indía or else Indía would be a dry
importaritrole
are the following: 2. Varied Relief: Relief plays an Western
The
1. The Himalayas: (The Himalayas form in the clirmatíc condítíons of India
because
a climatic barrier separating
the Indian Ghats get heavy rainfall on the western side
Monsoon
subcontinent from the rest of Asia. They not only they stand in the way of South West
entering the winds whích corne fron the Arabian Sea On the
prevent the cold Siberianwinds from rainal
other hand, the Deccan Plateau gets less
INDIA EasternGhats area of the Western
as it lies in the rain-shadow
Ghats/In Rajasthan, the Aravalli Range is parale
Windwárds i d e
sL

Raln NEMonsoonWinds
NGehsntar to the directíon of the South West Monsoon winds

ARBIN
Shadow

sEA Area
ennai So it is unable to stop the moisture laden winds
This makes Rajasthan a dry area The southern
hills of Assam get heavy rainfall but the northen
Mangalore EBAY OF ones do not. This is because the southern hils
BENGAL force the moisture laden winds to shed their
S.W.MonsoonWinds moisture before they proceed northwards.
3. The Monsoon Winds: The monsoon
winds have almnost a universal effect in bringing
Summer rains over the whole of South Asia.
During summers, winds move quickly into
INDIAN OCEAN Peninsular India towards the low-pressure
*Relief and rainfall: The windward side of Western Ghats system of north west India from the Arabia
carried
receive rainfall from the S-W Monsoon and the windward
Sea and Bay of Bengal. The moisture
side of Eastern Ghats receive rainfall from N-E Monsoon. by these south-westerly winds from the Arabia
*Sketch (not to scale) to aid in understanding concepts.

TOTAL GEOGRAPHY -X
 due to the
Sea
and Bay of Bengal bring rain to the and West Asia. In the winter season
the westerlies
cntire subcontinent, leaving Tibet dry in the shifting of the pressure belts, north
'rain-shadow' of the Himalayas, The south- Latitude and
blow from 20N to 50°N winds
influence of the
West monsO0n start retreating by the end of India comes under the
Sea.
September from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, by and cyclones rising fron the Mediterranean
Plains
October from Central India and by the end of These cyclones bring rain to Northern
in India.
Novemberfrom South India, Retreating monsoon and snow in Jammu and Kashmir
cold fast
brings rain in eastern coastal region. During 8, Jet Streans: Jet streams are
winter, dry offshore, North-East Monsoon winds blowing winds that develop in the upper layers
climate of
blow from high pressure to low pressure region of the atmosphere.They influence the over the
which is centred at the head of Bay of Bengal. India. The westerly jet stream prevails
These winds originate in Mongolia and north North Indian Plains during the winter nonths,
tropical
west China. As they bloW Over a vast landmass, while the easterly jet stream steers the
they are cold and dry. These cold dry winds depression over India. These depressions play
pattern
ioin the Trade Winds to pass over the Bay of a significant role in the distribution
subcontinent.
in the
Bengal. They pick moisture fromn the Bay of of the monsoon rainfall
track of
Bengal to bring rain to Tamil Nadu in winters. The highest rainfall occurs along the
4. Latitude: The Indian subcontinent is these depressions.
Areas in the
divided into two parts by the Tropic of Cancer. 9. Distance from the Sea:
climate
The northern portion lies in the temperate zone interiors of India have extreme type of
coastal areas have
andthe southern portion lies in the tropical zone. or continental climate whereas
The effect of land
equable or maritime climate.
The warm temperate or sub-tropical climate of breeze caused by differential
breeze and sea
the northern zone gives it cold winter season are
rate of heating and cooling of land and sea
and hot summner season. The southern tropical climate in coastal areas.
responsible for moderate
climatic zone of India is warmner than the north
and does not have a clear-cut winter season.
In the Peninsula, the Western Ghats prevent
Similarly, the northern zone does not have the the winds from carrying such benefits far
inwards. Therefore, the moderating influence
mid-day sun alnost vertically overhead during
zone of the sea is limited to the coastal areas.
any part of the year, while the southern
overhead
has the mid-day sun almost vertically
at least twice every year.
5. Altitude: There is a decrease of 1°Cfor
every 166m rise in height, because temperature
VIEM N
decreases as you move to higher altitudes. So, Mumbai
the mountains are cooler than the plains. For
example, Ooty has much lower temperature,
than Kochi, because of the altitude.
6. Influence of the Surrounding Seas:
India is flanked by three water bodies, namely,
S.WMons. oon
the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the
Arabian Sea which have a profound impact on
the climate, especially in areas lying close to
the sea. These water bodies act as the major
SOurce of moisture to the summer monsoons
and bring heavy rainfall to the whole area. In
lact, it is because of the nearness to the sea
that these areas have a moderate climate. Winds fuil of NMoisture
7. Western Disturbances: The weather Winds Without Moisture

Onditions during winter are generally influenced *Mumbai gets more rainfall than Pune
by the distribution pattern of pressure in Central
*Sketch (not scale) to aid in understanding concepts.

CLIMATE
 CLIMATE GRAPHS
DELHI CHENNAI
Temberature in Ralntal in ms

INDEN INDEX
Aveae A s Tam (C)
220
42

32 28
40
20
120
20 1

10
12

NOv DEC
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT
JAN FES MAR APR MAY JUN JL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

KOZHIKODE CHERRAPUNJI

Temperature in Raintall in mam Rainfall in mm

Temperature in C
40 INDEN
Saal
INDEX Averae Ta 3000
35 700
Averge e
30 600

25 500 15

20 400
1S00
10
15 300
1000
10 200

5 100

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUQ SEP O0cT NOV DEC

10. El-Nino Effect: El-Nino refers to an on the land. Over the adjoining sea, the air is
abnormal warming of surface waters in the comparatively cool, and a high pressure develops
equatorial Pacific region. It increases the surface there. This causes the winds to blow from the
temperature of the sea and affects the movement sea to the land. It is the Summer Monsoon.
of monsoon winds in the Indian Ocean. It results In May, June and July, the plains of the
in drier conditions over the Indian subcontinent Indian subcontinent are heated by the vertical
and delay in the monsoon. rays of the sun. The intense heat develops a low
MONSOON PHENOMENA AND pressure. During these months, a high pressure
ITS MECHANISM
area develops over the Indian Ocean. So, the
winds blow from the Indian Ocean northward
Monsoon winds are periodic or seasonal winds. and north-westward into Asia, As they blow from
They develop because of differential heating as the sea to the land, they bring heavy rainfal
well as cooling of the land and sea. They are in some parts of the Indian subcontinent. The
divided into two wind systemsthe Summer summer monsoon winds blow south-west; so they
Monsoon and the Winter Monsoon. are known as the 'South-West Summer
Monsoon
Summer Monsoons Winter Monsoons
In summer, the land gets heated more than the During winter season, the conditions
sea. Hence, a centre of low pressure develops reverse of those in summers, A high are the
develops pressure
over a big landmass stretching from
TOTAL GEOGRAPHY -X
 Central Asia up to north-west Indian plains.
FOUR SEASONS
At the same time a low pressure zone develops
the Indian Ocean. As the winds blow The Monsoon type of climate has distinct
from the land to the sea, they bring cold dry seasonal pattern marked by significant change
weather. They are incapable of producing from one season to the other. These changes
are clearly visible in the interior parts of the
country. Thecoastal areas, due to the influence
rain,.

When these winds blow over seas and pass of the seas do not experience much
variation
over the adjoining land, they bring some rainfall. in temperature though there 0ccurs
variation
Mhe Southern Coromandel Coast (Tamil Nadu in the pattern of rainfall. Thus, according to
ond southern tip of Andhra Pradesh) in India the India Meteorological Department (IMD) the
get rain from winter monsoons. The winter year may be divided into four principal seasons
monsoon winds blow north-east; so the monsoon on the basis of monsoon variations:
is known as the North-East Winter Monsoon. 1. The Hot and Dry Summer (March to May).
Mechanisms of Monsoon are further 2. The Hot and Wet or Rainy Season or the
explained in this Chapter. South-West Monsoon (June to September).

7008 India: Temperature, Pressure,

Prevailing Winds and Cylones (April)
MEAN TEMPERATURE
Leh (in °Celsius)
srihagar 32.5-35.0
30.0-32.5
Shima 27.5 -30.0
1008 25.0 - 27.5
800
Chandigatt eDehrágkun 22.5 - 25.0
275
Delhi
Below 22.5 HlaH
Gangto 1010 tanagar
Jaipur Lucknowo1007 50 Kghima
30.0LOW
Patna
Topic ofCancer
1010
"phal
AgartalaApaw
Gandhirnagar *Bhopal Rapehi
3 6 : 0

T3255 AKolkath
Raipue
Mumbae 30.0 Bhubane_hwar
ARABIAN Hyderabad
BAY
OF
SEA 1011
BENGAL
Amravati
HIGH Panaje Isobar in millibars
(at 08.30 1ST)
Bengaluru Prevailing Winds
Chennai
NICAcNoMDAN
AKSHDW HADWEP (INDA)
Thiruvananthapurar
1011
OCEAN sCALE 1:24 00 000 Kn 240 720 Km
INDIAN
India-Pressure, Prevailing Winds and Cyclones in (April)

CLIMATE
79
 3. The Retreating South West Monsoon or moves northward over the tropical areas of South
Post-monsoon (October-November). Asia and the temperature starts rising In moss
4. The Cold and Dry Winter Season or North parts of India, ternperature ranges between
East Monsoon (December February). 30°C and 32°C. The highest day ternperatures
increase as the heat belt moves further north
1. THE HOT DRY SUMMER In north-western part of India, ternperatures
around 48°C are not uncornmon.
In India, the hot season begins in March and In south India, the hot weather ís not as
lasts until June. The vertical rays of the sun
fall directly over the Tropic of Cancer during intense as in north India. The moderatíng
this period. influence of the oceans together with the
Peninsular shape of south India keeps the
Temperature temperatures lower than that in north India.
From March to May, due to the apparent The tenperatures, therefore, rernaín between
northward movement of the path of the sun's 26°C and 32°C in south Indía.
vertical rays, the length of the day increases. It There is some respíte from the heat in the
results in the increase in solar radiation which coastal regions due to the infiuence of the

India: Temperature, Pressure,

Prevailing Winds and Cylones (July)
MEAN TEMPERATURE
Leh
shinaar (in °Celsius)
32.5 -35.0
30.0 - 32.5
Shiml 27.5 -30.0
Chándigarh Dehraan 25.0 - 27.5
Below 25.0
LOW Delhi
Jaipur Gangtg
g987
"300 Lucknow ispur Kghima
Patn Shillong
1000
ape of Cancer
27.5 Agartal "hphal
Gandhinagar "Bhopal "Ránchí
1002
D A Kolkata
1004 Raipur
Mumbale 27.5 "Bhubane_hyár
ARABIAN BAY -1006

1006 SEA Hyderabad

OF
BENGAL
Amravati
1008 Panaji Isobar in millibars
(at 08.30 1IST)
1008

Bengaluu Prevailing Winds

N O N Y

Chennai
LAKSH (UNDIAX *Port Blair
|7010Kavaratti
SHAOWEP ADWEP S ANDAMAN
SEA
Thiruvananthapuram
HIGH
INDIAN O OCEAN SCALE 1:24 000 o00

India Mean Temnperatures (July)

80 TOTAL GEOGRAPHY-X
 Plateaus and hills are also relatively cool (d) Thunderstorma cause rainfall along the
hecause of the elevation. Kerala and Karnataka coaata, The little rainfall
Thediurnal variation is large, especially in the even that they bring is importantfor mango, tea
interior part lying on the west offthe
t subcontinent and coffee plants. Such rains are called mango
Pressure Conditions showers as they help in the early ripening of
the mango crop. They are alao called cherry
mhe warmest area slowly shifts fromn the blossoms in Karnataka.
Recanto north west lndia, The high temperature
in the subcontinent causes a low presSure 2. THE SOUTH-WEST MONSOON SEASON
hetween Thar Desert and Chota Nagpur Plateau.
The surrounding seas are cooler and develop The South-West Mons0on season is the
high pressure conditions in the Indian Ocean. season of general rainfall. This season lasts
By the end of May a comparatively high from June to September. The differential
heating of land and sea during the summer
pressure area develops near Cape Comorin months causes the monsoon winds to drift
extending towards the Arabian Sea, By June, the towards the subcontinent. The large landmass
inland low pressure system becomes more to the north of the Indian Ocean gets intensely
intense and moves northward with its centre heated during April and May. This causes the
over the Indus lowlands and Baluchistan, The formation of an intense low pressure in the
influx of these winds by mid-June brings about a north-western part of the Indian subcontinent.
change in the weather towards the rainy season. Since the pressure in the ocean to the south
Storms and Rainfall of the landmass is high, it attracts the South
East (S.E.) Trade Winds which prevail in the
The hot-dry weather is marked by weak winds southern hemisphere. These S.E. Trade winds
and dryness over the area. The low pressure after crossing the Equator are deflected towards
over the Northern Plains draws winds from the right because of the Coriolis force and
the surrounding areas and gives rise to reach the west coast as South-West Monsoon.
thunderstorms with strong dusty winds. These These winds bring heavy rainfall accompanied
winds cause a shower of rain mostly in Punjab, by violent thunder and lightning. This sudden
Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. violent onset of rainfall in the first week of
Local Winds June is termed as the Burst of the MonsOon.
(a) A striking feature of the hot weather season
is the strong and dusty winds, called loo, which CHINA
blow during the day over northern and north
western India. These winds have temperature INDIA
range between 45°C and 50°C which is hot BHUTAN
enough to cause heatstrokes. Rain shadow
Area
(b) There are occasional tornado-like dust storms Garo Khasi
Shillong
in Punjab and Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Hills

. Jaintia
(c) The thunderstorms accompanied with strong Vind wad sie

Winds and heavy rainfall occur in Assam and Cherapunji

West Bengal. These local winds are known as BANGLADESH
Kalbaisakhi which means the calamity of the MYANMAR
month of Baisakh'. In Assam, these storms
are known as Bardoli Chheerha. They originate INDIA
Over the Chota Nagpur Plateau and are carried
astward by westerly winds. They bring rainfall
in Assam, West
Bengal and Odisha. This rainfall
quite beneficial for growing jute and rice in
West Bengal and tea in Assam. Cherrapunji is located on the windward side of hills

*Sketch (not to scale) to aid in understanding concepts.

CLIMATE
 NDIA

BAY OF ARABLAe
ARABIAN BENGAL

Km 490 600 K
NCOBAR IsLA LAKSPOEEP OCEAN
LAKSKADWEEP Scaie 136.U39.00 (NDIA
(KDIAJ INDIAN OCEAN
MonsDOn s
Low pressure trough shifts causing retreat of the
Ketreating Monsoons - rains, because
relief only as long as it
However, when the South-West Monsoon
fails there is
humidity is quite
high uring July
and the relative drops by
to bring rainfall for two or more weeks
temperature
In Mumbai the
it is August. a maximunm
there is a dry period in the rainy seasonState 10°Cafter a week's
rain. NagDur sees
The first 31-C in Juy.
called the Break of Monsoon.
and 45°C in May which drops to
to receive the monsoon
showers is Kerala of
to see its withdrawal. Branch
also the last The Arabian Sea
topography of winds originating Over
As a result of the tapering Monsoon winds The South-West Monsoon branches
peninsular Indía the South-West Arabian Sea further split into three
the Westem
divides into tWo branches: obstructed by the
Branch; and (a) Its one branch is of the
(a) The Arabian Sea These winds go up the slopes
Ghats.
bring heawy
Western Ghats, become cool and
Branch
(b) The Bay of Bengal
temperature and windward side of the Sahyadris
rains in the
The rains bring down the heat. However,
the
hence, Some respite from
North-East Monsoon
South-West Monsoon
These winds blow fromn Decemnber
to February.
to September.
These winds blow from June North-East.
is from South-West. " The direction of these winds is from
" The direction of these winds
and are moisture These winds blow from land to sea.
They blow from sea to land
laden winds.
low
high Clear skies, pleasant weather with
They bríng heavy rainfall. This is a The temperature and low humidity prevails over
temperature and high humidity season.
pressure is low on the land area
and high over the Indian region.
surrounding water bodies.
they
rainfall in the When they move over the Bay of Bengal
" During these months there is the
whole subcontinent. pick up moisture to bring rainfall only to
Coromandel coast.

82 TOTAL GEOGRAPHY -X
 India: Temperature, Pressure,
Prevailing Winds and Cylones (October)
MEAN TEMPERATURE
Leh
shnagar (in °Celsius)
27.5 - 30.0
25.0 - 27.5
1011 22.5- 25.0
101handigarh Below 22.5
1011
Dehraun
25.0
Delhi 1012
LOW Jaipur Gangtok";anagar
1011, Lücknow
HIGH. Dispur, Kohima
Patna Shitlong
Tropic of Cancer 25.0
Ranchi
Agartala phal
Gandhinagàr "Bhopal Kolkata
D A

Raipur
Murfbaje Bhubaneshwar
ARAB0AN BAY
SEA Hyderabad: OF
BENGAL
"Amravati
Panaj
A01 1010 Isobar in millibars
LOW (at 08.30 IST)
\Bengaluru Chennai Prevailing Winds

/(INDA YANDCOBAR Port Blair

LAKSHDWEP
HIGH

INDIA) Kavaratti 1011

ANDAMAN
SEA
Thiruvananthapuram
OCEAN SCALE 1:24 000 000 Kmo 240 720 Kn
INDIAN
Weather Conditions in October

and the Western Coastal Plains. After over west Rajasthan and along the Aravallis
crossing the Ghats these winds descend,
causing scanty rainfall. The Arabian Sea
get heated up and thereby, the humidity in Branch joins the Bay of Bengal Branch in
the winds is reduced. Consequently, these Punjab and Haryana and together these
winds cause little rainfall east of the Western two branches cause rainfall in the western
Ghats, i.e., in the rain-shadow area. Himalayas.
(b) The second branch of the Arabian Sea The Bay of Bengal Branch
branch of the Monsoon winds strikes the
Coast north of Mumbai. These winds move The Bay of Bengal branch is directed towards
the coast of Myanmar and part of south-east
further along the Narmada and Tapi river Bangladesh. However, owing to the presence of
Valleys and cause fair amount of rainfall in
Central India, The Chota Nagpur Plateau the Arakan Hills along the coast of Myanmar, a
receives 15cm of rainfall from this branch. large part of this branch of monsoon is deflected
After that, it enters the Ganga plains and towards the Indian subcontinent. The monsoons,
mingles with the Bay of Bengal Branch. therefore, enter West Bengal and Bangladesh
(C) The third branch strikes the Saurashtra from south and south-east instead of the south
Peninsula and the Kutch. After that it passes westerly direction. Now this branch bifurcates

CLIMATE
 India: Temperature, Pressure,
Prevailing Winds and Cylones (January)
MEAN TEMPERATURE
Leh (in °Celsius)
Shinagar HIGH 275-300
25.0-275
225-250
Shimla! 018 20.0-225
175-205
Chaidigarh Dehradun 15.0-175
125-15.0
Delhi Below 12.5
gar
15.0 Gangtoe 1018
1018 Jaipu? Dispur Kghima
Luckrow Patna
A018
alennsghal
Tropic of Cancer
Gandhinagar RanchiS
gartalaAae
"Bhopal
1016 D A Kolkatá
"Raipu
1016

Bhubaneshwar
Mumbaj
22.
ARABIAN BAY
SEA Hyderabad OF
22.5 BENGAL
"Amravati
Panaje 25.0 Isobar in millibars
(at 08.30 IST)
1 0 1 4

Bengatiru Prevailing Winds

Chennai
AKS UNDA Port Blair
LAKSKavaratti
(NDIA) EDMNE
Thiruvananthapuram
KSHADWEP SE ANDAMAW
SEA

LOW
Kmp 24
OCEAN sCALE 124 000 D00
INDIAN
Weather Conditions in January
states.
Ganga plains the occurrence of hilly ranges in these
into two branches: one along the There is a decrease in rainfall as one goes from
and the other along the Brahmaputra valley. east to west. During this particular season
rain in the
These branches cause wide spread Kolkata receives about 120cm, Patna l02 cm,
and Garo
Ganga plains, Brahmaputra valley Allahabad 9lcm and Delhi 56cm.
and
and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. Cherrapunjisouthern The Tamil Nadu coast remains dry during
Mawsynram, located on the crest of the Nadu
this season. This is because the Tamil
range ofKhasi Hills, receive the highest average coast is located parallel to the Bay of Bengal
world.
annual rainfall in the branch of the south-west monsoon. Further,
Distribution of rainfall received from South it lies in the rain-shadow area of the Arabian
West Monsoons is largely governed by the relief Sea branch of the south-west monsoon.
Mahabaleshwar
or topography. For example,
on the windward side of the Western
Ghats 3. RETREATING MONSOON
registers a rainfall of over 250cm whereas
Pune
The South-West Monsoon starts retreating trot
on the leeward side of these Ghats, receives northern India in early October. Hence, tht
less than 70cm of rainfall. Likewise, the heavy months of October and November are know
precipitation in north-eastern states is due to for the retreating monsoon.

84 TOTAL GE0GRAPHY - X
 The reason of this retreatis that the Monnoon Andaman Sea,Some of the cyelonic depressions
trough of low pressure over the Ganga plains manage to cross the eastern Coasts of southern
becomes weaker dueto the apparent southward peninsula resulting in heavy and widesprend
movement of the sun, The low
pressure trough is rains on the coant of Tarmil Nadu and parts of
gradually replaced by high pressure. The retreat Odisha, These cyclonic storms move frorm the
rthe Monsoon is marked by clear skies and north-east to the south west. The retreating
drop in night temperature, The land remains monsoons are penerally dry except on the
coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Odisha and parts
moist. The combination of high temperature and of Karnataka, The bullk of the rainfall of the
humidity gives rise to an oppressive weather. Coromandel Coast is derived from depressions
This is commonly known as 'October heat', Day and cyclones.
temperature rises due to clear skies.
Retreating Mons0on winds cause rainfall in
The low pressure conditions are transferred to some places that is as heavy as the summer
the centre of Bay of Bengal by early November. Monsoons, Interior parts of Deccan remain
This shift of the low pressure area is marked dry because they lie in the rain-shadow of the
by cyclonicdepressions which originate over the Eastern Ghats.

INDIA
INDEX
Hoavy Precipitation
HHHH (Rainfal/lSnowtal)
Winds

High
Pressure HI m
K h a s l patkdl

Naga
Araval
aYom
Arakan

Tropic of Cancor

ARABIAN G h a t s

SEA BAY
OF
BENGAL

Low ANDAMAN
Pressure, SEA

OCEAN SCALE 124 000 000 Mp

INDIAN
India-Winter Rainfall

CLIMATE 85
 South-West Monsoon Winds
Arabian Sea Branch Bay of Bengal Branch
1. It enters Indian landmass after blowing over 1, It travels a shorter distance la bay and
avast open sea. During this period itcollects carries less moisture.
lot of moisture.
2. The Arabian Sea Branch blows over India. 2. The Bay of Berngal Branch partly enters India:
its rmajor part blows Ver Myanrnar and Thailand
3. It hits against the Western Ghats as soon 3. It has to travel a long distance over land
as it blows over the land.
before it hits against the mountains.
Tropical Cyclones December. Such cyclones generally originate
There are tropical depressions (low-pressure in the neighbourhood of the Andarman Islands
systems) originating in the Bay of Bengalcaused between 12°N and 17N and travel west or
by local variations of heat and moisture. north west over the Bay of Bengal. Whenever
lead to tropical cyclones in November They
and they occur, they cause great loss of life and

INDIA
MEAN ANNUAL RAINFALL
(in centimetres)
Above 420
300 - 420
240- 300
180- 240
120-180
60-120
30 - 60
0 -30

Tropic of Cancer

ARABIAN BAY
SEA OF
BENGAL

(INDIA) LAKSHDWEP LAKSHDWEP (NDIA) ANDAMAN

SEA

INDIAN OCE AN SCALE 1:24 000 000 N

India - Annual Rainfall

86 TOTAL GEOGRAPHY-X
 property due to heavy rains on the eastern
coastal regions of
India, Sources of Rainfall
1. For Punjab and Haryana the three
October Heat sOurces of rainfall are:
October is marked by clear cloudles8 sky, high Western disturbances
temperature and high humidity. As explained South-West monsoon winds-Arabian
earlier, this sultry and oppressive weather is Sea branch
referred to as October Heat
South-West rnonsoon winds-Bay of
It is a transition period between the hot Bengal branch
rainy scason and cold dry season. By the end
of October or by the beginning of November 2. For T'amíl Nadu Coastthe three sources
Ane weather conditions prevail over the rest of rainfall are:
of the subcontinent. South-West nonsoorn winds
North-East monsoon winds
Air Quality Retreating monsoon winds
The retreating monsoon is characterised
by: () clear skies; (i) high temperature; Temperature
(ii) low wind velocity; (iv) negligible rainfall. In winter season, January is usually the coldest
Allthis leads to accumulation of pollutants month. The temperature remains quíte low
close to the ground and worsening of air during the winter months over the Indían sub
continent. The temperatures decrease from south
quality in major cities in the country. This to north. The mean maximum temperature for
period coincides with agriculture practices the month of January at Thiruvananthapuram
like stubble burning in north India further is as high as 3 1°C, at Calicut 26°C, at Chennai
increasing air pollution transforming large 24°C, at Varanasi about 16°C and at Jammu
cities like Delhi into toxic gas chambers. only 10°C.
The night temperature in the Gangetic Plains
4. THE NORTH-EAST MONSOON SEASON varies from 2.5°C to 17.5°C. Temperatures fall
below freezing point in the higher reaches of
The cold weather season commences at the the Himalayas. Dras Valley in Kashmir near
end of November and continues till March. The
Kargil records minimum temperature of 45°C.
skies are relatively clear with dry weather. Night It is the coldest place in India.
temperatures are low, specially in northern India,
The excessive cold in north India during
but the days are pleasantly warm. The mean
temperature in the northern plains is below this season is due to the following reasons:
20°C and gets even lower in Himachal Pradesh, (a) In the month of February, the cold winds
Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana. from the Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan

Tropical Cyclones Temperate Cyclones

Tropical cyclones are largely a summer Temperate cyclones are most intense in the
winter season.
phenomnenon.
They are generally smaller in size and their They are bigger in size than the tropical cyclones
shape is more or less circular. and are oval in shape.
Tropical cyclones develop over the seas. Temperate cyclones develop over continents.
They develop in the tropical region of Bay of
Bengal and influence Indian coastal climate.
They develop in the temperate region of
Mediterranean sea.
They bring heavy rainfall with strong winds over They bring light to moderate rainfall in the
the Coromandel Coast of India. North western part of India under the influence
of westerly jet streams.

CLIMATE
 bring cold wave over the northwestern parts of winter rainfall is small, it is of
of India importanoe for the cultivation of rabi oonsieratse
b Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan
comtimental tpe of cimates asexperienoe
they are
Rainfall
located far away from the sea to experience Most parts of India do not receive
its moderating infuenoe and in the winter seaso. This is because the
c The snowfall in the nearby monsoons have little humidity and due to witer
Himalayan Cyclonic circulation on the
land. ants
ranges crea tes cod wave situation
In Peninsular ndia the average rain fron them decreases However, here
possibility
ies between 20°C to 25C and tenperature SOme areaswhich do receive rainfall are
it does not
have any well defned cold weather seasom. SWInter Season They are as follows
The ooastal areas hardly
experience any 1. Central parts of India and Dorthen parts of
seasoal change in the distrrbution pattern of Peninsula get occasional rainfal
teperature due to the modera ting infuece 2 Some weak temperate cyclones ro
of the sea and proiity to the Equator. the Mediterranean Sea cause rainfa
For
exapie the Dannaimun teperatuTe for Delhi, Haryana Punjab and western a
June at Thiruvananthapuram is 29.5C and it Pradesh Though the amount of this rain
is 31C for Jauay is meagre, it is quite benefcial for the
Pressure CTOps
The eather inttis season is characterised by 3. The north-eastern part of India alss
feeblebih pressure oondiions over the north gets rainfall during the winter months
westen pert of the plain This is because of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam get rains
the obigue rays of the sun which reach the between 25mm and 50mm during winters
Suboonnent as the sun monEs to the Southern 4. In the months of October and Nove
Heisphere the North-East Monsoon whle crossing oer
the Bay of Bengal. picks up moisture and
During this season the North-East Trade brings torrential rainfalI over Taml Natu
Wnis preve oner the couniy. These winis
blos onlanito sea ani bence, for most parts cuast and southern tip of Andhra Pradest
of the county it is iy season Homever, when DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL
these inds pass Orer Bay of Bengal they pick
UD SOne nOSTUre ani cause SOme amount of The distribution of rainfall is determined by
rainfaI on the Coronandel Coast. As these the following
nds blow fron north-east to south-west, they 1. the pressure conditions and the direction
are caled the North-East Monsoon Winds of the reief features;
2. the direction of thewinds bearing moisture
Temperatie Cyciones Western Disturbamces) 3. cyclonic depression determined by pressurt
A characteristic feature of the cold weather gradient.
season is the infos of depressions rom the India can be divided into four rainfall regons
west and the north-est. These low pressure
systems, called the western disturbances, (1)Heavy Rainfall Region: This egon
originate in West Asia and the regioms near the Experences more than 200Cm of rainfal annual
and inchudes the following
Mediiteranean Sea. They travel eastwards across areas.
Iran and Pakistan and reach India during the ) The windward side of the Western Ghts
winter season They bring the much-needed hke the Western Coastal Plains and te
Winter rains oWer the plains and snowfall in the slopes of the Western Ghats
mountains On an averaRe, four or fvve such (2) Meghalaya Hills (Garo. Khasi and Jainta
depressüons affect India in each af the winter the southern slopes of Easten Himalavas
months They are generally active between Assamn, Arunachal Pradesh and West
December and February. Though the amount Bengal

TOTAL GEOGRAPHY-X
 Retreating MonsOon is the withdrawal of south west monsoon and
that happens in October
Withdrawal of South West
till the mid-November from the northern and central part of India.
Monsoon occurs due to the change in temperature and pressure conditions.
conditions
North East Monsoon starts after this when there is change in the pressure south west
monsoon winds from
with the apparent mOvement of the sun, The reversal of
temperature and pressure
monsoon to the north east monsoons take place with change in the
conditions. During this transition period the coastal areas experience the cyclonic conditions
more
which result in moderate to high rainfall. Tropical cyclones over the Bay of Bengal are
prominent.

precipitation
Over the past few years, change in the world climatic pattern has influenced the
pattern in the Indian sub-continent too, along with rise in global temperature.

(2) Moderate Rainfall Region: This region (ii) The rain-shadow regions of the Western
receives rainfall ranging from 10Ocm to 200cm Ghats lying in the Deccan Plateau.
a year. The following areas are included in this Features of the Rainfall
region:
Main features of the rainfall in India are:
(i) The northern parts of Andhra Pradesh, the
southern parts of Tamil Nadu. 1. There is rainfall over three months and the
(ii) Middle Ganga Valley, some portions of rest of the year is mostly dry. Seventy per
Western Ghats, Eastern Maharashtra, cent of annual rainfall occurs in the rainy
season.
Madhya Pradesh, Odisha.
(3) Low Rainfall Region: The rainfall in 2. The rains are mainly of relief type. The
this region is low, varying from 50 to 100cm. windward slopes of the mountains get more
The areas of low rainfall are: rainfall than the leeward side.
() Parts of the Deccan Plateau comprising 3. Only a small portion of the rainfall is received
the regions of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh from sources other than the monsoon, like
and Tamil Nadu. cyclonic rainfall and convectional rainfall.
() Eastern Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and 4. The quantity and the time of occurrence of
Kashmir. rainfall cannot be predicted as the rainfall
(4) Scanty Rainfall Region: These areas get is erratic. It is because of this uncertainty
the least rainfall, i.e.,less than 50cm annually. that sometimes there are floods; and
Desert and semi-desert areas are included in this. sometimes droughts.
The following areas come in this region: 5. India has an agrarian economy dependent
) Southern Punjab, Western Rajasthan and on rainfall. As such rainfall affects the
parts of Ladakh. economy of the country.