Advancing Monsoon (The Rainy Season) – Long Answer Questions
Medium Level (Application & Explanation)
Q1. Explain how low pressure and trade winds lead to the formation of the southwest monsoon over India.
Answer:
- By early June, a strong low-pressure area forms over the northern plains.
- This low pressure pulls southeast trade winds from the southern oceans.
- These winds cross the equator and turn towards India as the southwest monsoon.
- They are strong and carry abundant moisture from warm seas.
- Their average speed is about 30 km/h, which helps them move fast.
- Within about one month, these winds cover most of India and bring rain.
Q2. Describe the timing and spread of the advancing monsoon. Why does it matter for people?
Answer:
- The monsoon usually begins in early June.
- The winds move at around 30 km/h, so they spread quickly.
- In about one month, the monsoon covers most of the country.
- This timing matters for farmers, as sowing depends on rainfall.
- It also affects water storage, transport, and daily life.
- A timely monsoon supports food security and rural incomes.
Q3. How is rainfall distributed during the monsoon across India? Use regional examples.
Answer:
- The windward side of the Western Ghats gets heavy rainfall, often over 250 cm.
- The northeastern region, especially Mawsynram in the Khasi Hills, gets the highest rainfall in the world.
- In contrast, Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat get scanty rainfall.
- In the Ganga valley, rainfall decreases from east to west.
- This uneven pattern creates wet and dry zones during the same season.
- It influences agriculture, rivers, and water planning.
Q4. What are ‘breaks’ in the monsoon? Explain their cause and effects on different regions.
Answer:
- ‘Breaks’ are dry spells between rainy days during the monsoon.
- They happen due to the movement of the monsoon trough.
- When the trough lies over the plains, the plains get good rain.
- When it shifts towards the Himalayas, the plains turn dry.
- At the same time, mountainous areas receive heavy rain.
- These breaks affect crops, water supply, and sometimes cause floods in hills.
Q5. Explain the role of tropical depressions in controlling monsoon intensity and duration.
Answer:
- Tropical depressions form at the head of the Bay of Bengal.
- They move inland and follow the axis of the monsoon trough.
- These systems decide the amount and duration of rainfall.
- When more depressions form, rains can be intense and prolonged.
- Fewer or weak depressions mean less rain and short spells.
- This leads to irregular rainfall, causing floods in some areas and droughts in others.
High Complexity (Analysis & Scenario-Based)
Q6. A farmer is planning Kharif sowing in early June. How should they use monsoon features (arrival, breaks, depressions) to plan better?
Answer:
- The farmer should watch for the arrival of the monsoon in early June.
- They should wait for the first good spell before sowing, not just the first shower.
- They must track breaks in the monsoon to plan intercultural operations.
- If a depression forms in the Bay of Bengal, they should expect heavy rain and prepare drainage.
- In case of expected dry spells, they should save water and stagger field work.
- Monitoring monsoon updates helps reduce crop loss and manage risks.
Q7. Why can floods and droughts occur at the same time in different parts of India during the monsoon?
Answer:
- Monsoon rainfall is irregular in arrival, intensity, and duration.
- Depressions follow the monsoon trough, so they give heavy rain along their path.
- Regions away from the trough may get little rain, causing drought-like conditions.
- Orographic effects create heavy rain on windward slopes, like the Western Ghats.
- At the same time, areas like Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat receive scanty rainfall.
- Thus, floods can occur in one region while drought affects another.
Q8. If the monsoon trough shifts towards the Himalayas while a depression moves inland, predict the rainfall pattern and its implications.
Answer:
- A trough near the Himalayas causes dry spells in the plains.
- The mountainous areas receive heavy rain, increasing flood risk there.
- A moving depression can make these rains even stronger and longer.
- The plains may see reduced rain, affecting soil moisture and crops.
- Rivers from the hills may rise, causing flooding in downstream areas.
- People should prepare for landslides in hills and water shortages in plains.
Q9. Explain how rainfall varies from the Western Ghats to the Ganga valley and Rajasthan. What challenges does this create for planning?
Answer:
- The Western Ghats get very heavy rain on the windward side.
- The northeast, like Mawsynram, gets extreme rainfall.
- In the Ganga valley, rain decreases from east to west.
- Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat receive scanty rainfall.
- This uneven pattern makes water planning and crop choices difficult.
- Planners must manage both flood control and drought relief together.
Q10. A school plans a field trip in June. Using monsoon behavior, suggest a safety plan and decision steps.
Answer:
- The monsoon starts in early June and spreads fast across India.
- The school should check forecasts and the monsoon’s progress daily.
- If a depression forms, expect heavy rain and consider postponing.
- Prepare a rain plan: safe routes, shelter, and emergency contacts.
- Avoid landslide-prone or flood-prone areas, especially near hills.
- If breaks are likely, choose those dry windows or reschedule for safety.