Consider the following statements about the characteristics of Indian...
Characteristics of the Indian Monsoon
- These winds generally strike the Indian coast in the first week of June, but their arrival and departure may be before time or may be delayed.
- Monsoon is not steady winds. They are irregular in nature affected by different atmospheric conditions i.e. due to regional climatic conditions.
- Monsoons are not equally distributed. The spatial distribution of rainfall is uneven – some regions may receive heavy rains while the others will have to be content with meagre or scanty rains.
- When the monsoon arrives, it gives heavy rainfall which continues for several days. This is known as the 'burst of monsoon'. This occurs mainly at the Kerala coast where it reaches first.
- Generally, these winds start retreating by the end of September. But, sometimes, their departure may be delayed till October or they may retreat even much earlier.
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Consider the following statements about the characteristics of Indian...
The correct answer is option 'A' - only statement 1 is incorrect. Let's analyze each statement to understand why.
1. Monsoon season in India is associated with continuous rainfall without breaks.
This statement is incorrect. The monsoon season in India is characterized by periodic bursts of rainfall, often with breaks in between. The rainfall during the monsoon season is not continuous but occurs in episodes or spells. These spells of rain are often followed by periods of no rain or relatively lighter rainfall.
2. Monsoon causes flood as well as drought.
This statement is correct. The monsoon season brings heavy rainfall to different parts of India, which can lead to flooding in low-lying areas. However, the distribution of rainfall is not uniform across the country, and some regions may experience less rainfall or even drought conditions during the monsoon season. Therefore, the monsoon can cause both floods and droughts in different parts of India.
3. Monsoon winds are pulsating and unstable in nature and direction.
This statement is correct. Monsoon winds are characterized by their pulsating and unstable nature. They change direction and intensity over time, influenced by various factors such as the movement of pressure systems, ocean currents, and land-sea temperature differences. This variability in wind direction and intensity is a key characteristic of the monsoon.
4. Tropical cyclones originate in the Andaman Sea and cause heavy rain in India's eastern coast post-retreat of monsoon.
This statement is correct. The Andaman Sea, located in the Bay of Bengal, is a favorable region for the formation of tropical cyclones. These cyclones, also known as typhoons or hurricanes, can develop during or after the monsoon season. They often move towards India's eastern coast, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The post-retreat period of the monsoon is particularly vulnerable to the impact of tropical cyclones.
To summarize, statement 1 is incorrect as the monsoon season in India is not associated with continuous rainfall without breaks. The other statements (2, 3, and 4) are correct, highlighting the characteristics of the Indian monsoon such as its ability to cause both floods and droughts, the pulsating and unstable nature of monsoon winds, and the origin of tropical cyclones in the Andaman Sea.
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