UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 88 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Monsoon Duration Rainfall
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2012
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectGeography
- TopicClimatology
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeStatement
Consider the following statements:
1. The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India.
2. The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Verdict
Correct Answer: Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct because monsoon duration decreases from south to north, while rainfall in the northern plains decreases from east to west.
Analysis
The Indian monsoon shows clear regional variation in both duration and rainfall amount. These patterns are mainly controlled by the arrival and withdrawal of the southwest monsoon and the movement of moisture-bearing winds.
Statement by statement
1. The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India — Correct
The southwest monsoon reaches southern India first, around the beginning of June.
It reaches northern India later and withdraws earlier. Therefore, the monsoon season is longer in southern India and shorter in northern India.
2. The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west — Correct
The Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon enters the northern plains from the east.
As it moves westward, it gradually loses moisture. Hence, rainfall decreases from eastern areas like Assam, West Bengal and Bihar towards western areas like Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Extra UPSC info
* The southwest monsoon has two main branches: Arabian Sea branch and Bay of Bengal branch.
* The Arabian Sea branch gives heavy rainfall to the Western Ghats.
* Tamil Nadu receives less rainfall during the southwest monsoon because it lies in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats.
* Tamil Nadu gets much of its rainfall during the retreating or northeast monsoon.
* Western disturbances bring winter rainfall to north-western India, useful for Rabi crops like wheat.