With reference to the Western disturbance, consider the following stat...
- Western Disturbance (WD), labeled as an extra-tropical storm originating in the Mediterranean, is an area of low pressure that brings sudden showers, snow and fog in northwest India. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- The disturbance travels from the “western” to the eastern direction.
- These travel eastwards on high-altitude westerly jet streams - massive ribbons of fast winds traversing the earth from west to east.
- Western Disturbances are the cause of the most winter and pre-monsoon season rainfall across North-West India. This phenomenon is usually associated with a cloudy sky, higher night temperatures, and unusual rain. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
- It is estimated that India gets close to 5-10% of its total annual rainfall from western disturbances
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With reference to the Western disturbance, consider the following stat...
Explanation:
The Western disturbance is an extra-tropical storm system that originates in the Mediterranean region and affects the weather patterns in South Asia, particularly in India and neighboring countries. It is one of the major weather phenomena during the winter and pre-monsoon seasons in India. Let's analyze the given statements one by one to determine their correctness.
Statement 1: It is an extra-tropical storm originating in the Mediterranean region.
- Correct: The Western disturbance is indeed an extra-tropical storm system that originates in the Mediterranean region. It is characterized by the presence of a low-pressure system and associated weather fronts.
Statement 2: It causes the most winter and pre-monsoon season rainfall across Southern India.
- Incorrect: The Western disturbance primarily affects the northern and northwestern parts of India, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab. These regions experience significant rainfall, snowfall, and thunderstorms due to the Western disturbance. However, it does not cause the most winter and pre-monsoon season rainfall across Southern India.
Hence, only statement 1 is correct, and the correct option is (a) 1 only.
The Western disturbance is an important weather system that brings much-needed rainfall and snowfall to the northwestern regions of India. It plays a crucial role in the regional water cycle and has a significant impact on agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, and overall weather patterns in the affected areas. Understanding and monitoring the Western disturbance is essential for effective weather forecasting and disaster management in the affected regions.
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