The winter rain in Madras is caused bya)South-West Monsoonsb)North-Eas...
During winter, the North-east dry Monsoon winds blow over the Bay of Bengal. As they pass over the Bay of Bengal they pick up moisture and bring rain to the Tamil Nadu coast as now they are under the effect of on-shore winds, full of moisture and Chennai receives rainfall more in winter than in summer.
The winter rain in Madras is caused bya)South-West Monsoonsb)North-Eas...
The answer is option 'B': North-East Monsoons.
The winter rain in Madras (now known as Chennai) is primarily caused by the North-East Monsoons. Let's understand this in detail:
What are Monsoons?
Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring heavy rainfall to certain regions. In India, there are two main monsoons - the South-West Monsoons and the North-East Monsoons.
South-West Monsoons:
South-West Monsoons occur during the summer months and bring rainfall to the western coast of India, including regions like Mumbai, Goa, and Kerala. These monsoons are responsible for the majority of the rainfall in India.
North-East Monsoons:
North-East Monsoons occur during the winter months, typically from October to December. These monsoons bring rainfall to the eastern coast of India, including regions like Chennai, Puducherry, and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
Why are North-East Monsoons responsible for winter rain in Madras?
1. Wind Direction: During the North-East Monsoons, the prevailing winds blow from the north-east direction towards the land. These winds pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal and carry it towards the eastern coast of India.
2. Interaction with Eastern Ghats: The Eastern Ghats mountain range runs parallel to the eastern coast of India. When the moist winds from the Bay of Bengal encounter these mountains, they are forced to rise. As the air rises, it cools down, leading to the condensation of moisture and the formation of rain clouds.
3. Intensification over Chennai: As the moist winds continue to move towards Chennai, they encounter the low-lying coastal plains. This interaction further enhances the condensation process, resulting in heavy rainfall over the region.
4. Duration and Intensity: The North-East Monsoons in Chennai usually last for a few months, during which the region receives a significant amount of rainfall. The intensity of the rainfall can be high, leading to occasional heavy showers.
Overall, the North-East Monsoons are responsible for the winter rain in Madras (Chennai) due to the interaction between the prevailing winds, the Eastern Ghats, and the coastal plains.