UPSC Prelims 2024 · Question 29 of 97
UPSC Prelims 2024 question on Red Sea Precipitation Rivers
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2024
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectGeography
- TopicOceanography
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeStatement
Consider the following statements:
1. The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form.
2. No water enters the Red Sea from rivers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: A. 1 only
Verdict
Only statement 1 is correct → Option (a) 1 only.
Statement by statement
Statement 1 – CORRECT: The Red Sea region receives very little precipitation in any form, although prehistoric artifacts indicate that there were periods with greater amounts of rainfall. In general, the climate is conducive to outdoor activity in fall, winter, and spring — except during windstorms — with temperatures varying between 8 and 28°C. Summer temperatures are much higher, up to 40°C. Hence statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2 – INCORRECT: While there are no significant rivers that drain into the Red Sea, there are small rivulets that flow into the Red Sea and it may not be entirely correct to say that no water enters the Red Sea from rivers. The average salinity of the Red Sea is 39 ppt (higher than ocean average of 35.2 ppt) due to high evaporation and fewer rivers bringing fresh water. Hence statement 2 is not correct.