How do the Arakan Hills influence the Indian monsoon?a)They cause the...
- The Arakan Mountains also known as the Rakhine Mountains, are a mountain range in western Myanmar, between the coast of Rakhine State and the Central Myanmar Basin, in which flows the Irrawaddy River.
- The Bay of Bengal branch strikes the coast of Myanmar and part of southeast Bangladesh.
- But the Arakan Hills along the coast of Myanmar deflect a big portion of this branch towards the Indian subcontinent. Hence option (b) is the correct answer.
- The monsoon, therefore, enters West Bengal and Bangladesh from the south and southeast instead of from the south-westerly direction.
- From here, this branch splits into two under the influence of the Himalayas and the thermal low is northwest India.
- One branch of it moves westward along the Ganga plains reaching as far as the Punjab plains.
- The other branch moves up the Brahmaputra valley in the north and the northeast, causing widespread rains.
- Its sub-branch strikes the Garo and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. Mawsynram, located on the crest of Khasi hills, receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world.
How do the Arakan Hills influence the Indian monsoon?a)They cause the...
The Influence of Arakan Hills on the Indian Monsoon
The Arakan Hills, located in the western part of Myanmar, play a significant role in influencing the Indian monsoon. These hills act as a barrier for the monsoon winds coming from the Bay of Bengal and impact the direction and intensity of the monsoon over the Indian subcontinent.
Deflection of Monsoon Winds
The Arakan Hills act as a natural barrier and deflect a significant portion of the Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon towards the Indian subcontinent. As the moisture-laden winds encounter the hills, they are forced to change their course and move in a northwest direction. This deflection leads to a concentration of rainfall over the northeastern states of India, including Assam, Meghalaya, and parts of West Bengal.
Enhanced Rainfall
Due to the deflection caused by the Arakan Hills, the Indian subcontinent receives enhanced rainfall. The moist winds that hit the hills are forced to ascend, leading to orographic rainfall on the windward side. This results in higher precipitation in the northeastern states and the foothills of the Himalayas. The deflection also increases the moisture content of the winds, leading to increased rainfall over the Gangetic plains and other parts of North India.
Impact on Rainfall Distribution
The Arakan Hills play a crucial role in redistributing rainfall across the Indian subcontinent. The deflection of monsoon winds towards the Indian subcontinent results in heavy rainfall in the northeastern states, which receive the highest annual rainfall in India. The hills also cause a decrease in rainfall over Myanmar, as the monsoon winds are diverted towards India.
Effect on Monsoon Variability
The presence of the Arakan Hills influences the variability of the Indian monsoon. The deflection of monsoon winds creates a distinct pattern of rainfall distribution across different regions of India. The hills act as a natural barrier and help in channeling the monsoon winds, which affects the timing and quantity of rainfall received by different parts of the country.
In conclusion, the Arakan Hills have a significant impact on the Indian monsoon. They deflect a significant portion of the Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon towards the Indian subcontinent, leading to enhanced rainfall in the northeastern states and other parts of North India. The hills also influence the distribution and variability of rainfall across different regions of India.
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