Distribution of rainfall in India

India has a monsoon type of Climate. Rainfall occurs only for about three to four months and is uneven, unreliable and erratic in nature. Rainy season in India extends from June to mid- September. Sometimes at the time of arrival, the rainfall pours heavily which is commonly known as the burst of the monsoons. The monsoon first arrives at the southern tip of the subcontinent. It then gets separated into two branches; the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch. The rains from the Arabian Sea strikes Mumbai on approximately June 10, while the Bay of Bengal branch brings rainfall to Assam. Because the Mountains in the northeast causes the rain bearing winds to drift to the Indo-Gangetic plains, the region experiences rainfall by late June and early July. The rainfall reaches Himachal Pradesh by mid July. While it rains heavily in north eastern parts of the country, Kerala and on the western slopes of the Western Ghats, moderate rainfall is experienced in the south eastern parts of the country and the Indo Gangetic Plains. Scanty rainfall is experienced in western parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat.

The southwest monsoon splits into two branches, the Arabian Sea Branch and the Bay of Bengal Branch near the southernmost end of the Indian Peninsula. Hence, it arrives in India in two branches: the Bay of Bengal branch and the Arabian Sea Branch. First originate in the Bay of Bengal causing rainfall over the plains of north India. Second is the Arabian Sea current of the southwest monsoon which brings rain to the west coast of India. The latter extends toward a low-pressure area over the Thar Desert and is roughly three times stronger than the Bay of Bengal branch.

The Monsoon Winds originating over the Arabian Sea further split into three branches: One branch is obstructed by the Western Ghats. These winds climb the slopes of the Western Ghats and as a result of orographic rainfall phenomenon, the windward side of Ghats receives very heavy rainfall ranging between 250 cm and 400 cm. After crossing the Western Ghats, these winds descend and get heated up. This reduces humidity in the winds. As a result, these winds cause little rainfall east of the Western Ghats. This region of low rainfall is known as the rain-shadow area.
Another branch of the Arabian Sea monsoon strikes the coast north of Mumbai. Moving along the Narmada and Tapi river valleys, these winds cause rainfall in
extensive areas of central India. The Chotanagpur plateau gets 15 cm rainfall from this part of the branch. Thereafter, they enter the Ganga plains and mingle with the Bay of Bengal branch.
A third branch of this monsoon wind strikes the Saurashtra Peninsula and the Kutch. It then passes over west Rajasthan and along the Aravallis, causing only a scanty rainfall. In Punjab and Haryana, it too joins the Bay of Bengal branch. These two branches, reinforced by each other, cause rains in the western Himalayas.
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. The monsoon, therefore, enters West Bengal and Bangladesh from 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.

Frequency of tropical depressions originating over the Bay of Bengal varies from year to year. The path of these depressions also keeps changing with the position of the ITCZ, also known as monsoon trough (Figure – position of Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in the month of January and July). As the axis of the monsoon trough oscillates with the apparent movement of sun between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, there are fluctuations in the track and direction of these depressions, and the intensity and the amount of rainfall vary from year to year. The amount of rainfall in north India varies with the frequency of the tropical depressions. On an Average, one to three depressions are observed every month and the life span of one depression is about one week.

The rain which comes in spells, displays a declining trend from west to east over the west coast, and from the southeast towards the northwest over the North Indian Plain and the northern part of the Peninsula. Rajasthan desert receives low rainfall in spite of being in the path of Arabian Sea branch of monsoon. This branch blows parallel to Aravalis mountain chain without obstruction and thus, does not release moisture here.

Monsoon rainfall is the dominant source of Precipitation in India, accounting for about 70% of the annual rainfall. The monsoon season typically runs from June to September, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in July and August. The monsoon is caused by the difference in temperature between the land and the ocean. During the summer, the land heats up faster than the ocean, causing the air to rise. This creates an area of low pressure over the land, which draws in moist air from the ocean. The moist air rises and cools, condensing into clouds and rain.

Rainfall distribution across India is highly variable. The western and northwestern parts of the country receive very little rainfall, while the eastern and northeastern parts receive much more. The average annual rainfall in India is about 1,200 mm, but this varies from less than 200 mm in some parts of the west to more than 4,000 mm in some parts of the northeast.

Rainfall patterns in India are also highly variable. The monsoon is not always reliable, and there can be years with very little rainfall or years with much more than usual. This can have a devastating impact on agriculture and other sectors of the economy.

There are a number of factors that affect rainfall in India. The most important factor is the El NiÃ±o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). ENSO is a climate pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean and can have a significant impact on weather patterns around the world. During an El NiÃ±o event, the waters in the Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual, which can lead to reduced rainfall in India. During a La NiÃ±a event, the waters in the Pacific Ocean become cooler than usual, which can lead to increased rainfall in India.

Other factors that can affect rainfall in India include the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The IOD is a climate pattern that occurs in the Indian Ocean and can have a significant impact on weather patterns in India. The MJO is a climate pattern that occurs in the tropical Pacific Ocean and can have a significant impact on weather patterns around the world. The NAO is a climate pattern that occurs in the North Atlantic Ocean and can have a significant impact on weather patterns in Europe and North America.

Rainfall has a significant impact on India. It is the main source of water for agriculture, drinking, and other purposes. Rainfall also plays a role in the generation of hydroelectric power and the regulation of river flows. The variability of rainfall can have a significant impact on the economy and the Environment.

Rainfall forecasting is important for planning and managing water Resources in India. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is the government agency responsible for forecasting rainfall in India. The IMD uses a variety of methods to forecast rainfall, including statistical models, numerical models, and satellite data.

Rainwater harvesting is a technique for collecting and storing rainwater for later use. Rainwater harvesting can be used for a variety of purposes, including drinking, Irrigation, and domestic use. Rainwater harvesting can help to reduce the impact of droughts and floods.

Floods are a major NATURAL HAZARD in India. They are caused by heavy rainfall, which can cause rivers to overflow their banks. Floods can cause widespread damage to property and Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE, and can also lead to loss of life.

Droughts are also a major natural hazard in India. They are caused by a lack of rainfall, which can lead to crop failures and water shortages. Droughts can have a devastating impact on the economy and the environment.

Water conservation is important for managing Water Resources in India. Water conservation can be achieved through a variety of methods, including reducing water consumption, improving water efficiency, and recycling water. Water conservation can help to reduce the impact of droughts and floods.

What is the average rainfall in India?

The average annual rainfall in India is about 1,100 mm. However, there is a wide variation in rainfall across the country, with some areas receiving as little as 100 mm per year and others receiving over 4,000 mm per year.

What are the main factors that affect the distribution of rainfall in India?

The main factors that affect the distribution of rainfall in India are the Himalayas, the monsoon winds, and the Landforms. The Himalayas block the cold, dry winds from Central Asia, causing them to rise and release their moisture as rain on the southern slopes of the mountains. The monsoon winds blow from the southwest to the northeast during the summer months, bringing heavy rains to the southern and eastern parts of the country. The landforms of India also play a role in the distribution of rainfall, with the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats receiving more rain than the Deccan Plateau.

What are the effects of the distribution of rainfall in India?

The distribution of rainfall in India has a significant impact on the country’s economy, agriculture, and environment. The monsoon rains are essential for the country’s agriculture, as they provide the water needed for crops to grow. The rains also help to recharge groundwater aquifers and prevent Soil erosion. However, the heavy rains can also cause flooding and landslides, which can damage infrastructure and displace people.

What are some of the challenges associated with the distribution of rainfall in India?

One of the main challenges associated with the distribution of rainfall in India is the variability of the monsoon rains. The monsoon rains can be delayed or early, and they can also be less or more intense than usual. This variability can make it difficult for farmers to plan their crops and for businesses to plan their operations.

Another challenge associated with the distribution of rainfall in India is the impact of floods and landslides. Heavy rains can cause rivers to overflow their banks, leading to flooding. Flooding can damage infrastructure, displace people, and cause loss of life. Landslides can also occur when heavy rains cause the ground to become saturated. Landslides can damage roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, and they can also cause loss of life.

What are some of the solutions to the challenges associated with the distribution of rainfall in India?

One solution to the challenges associated with the distribution of rainfall in India is to improve the country’s infrastructure. This includes building Dams and reservoirs to store water during the monsoon rains, and improving irrigation systems to help farmers use water more efficiently. It also includes building roads and bridges to help people and goods move around during floods and landslides.

Another solution is to develop early warning systems to help people prepare for floods and landslides. These systems can use satellite data and other technologies to monitor weather conditions and predict when floods and landslides are likely to occur.

Finally, it is important to educate people about the risks of floods and landslides. This includes teaching people how to stay safe during floods and landslides, and how to rebuild their homes and businesses after a disaster.

The average annual rainfall in India is about:
(A) 1000 mm
(B) 2000 mm
(C) 3000 mm
(D) 4000 mm
The western coast of India receives more rainfall than the eastern coast because:
(A) The western coast is closer to the equator.
(B) The western coast is blocked by the Western Ghats.
(C) The eastern coast is blocked by the Eastern Ghats.
(D) The western coast is affected by the monsoon winds.
The monsoon winds blow from the southwest to the northeast during the summer. This is because:
(A) The sun is directly overhead the Northern Hemisphere during the summer.
(B) The sun is directly overhead the Southern Hemisphere during the summer.
(C) The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees.
(D) The Earth’s orbit around the sun is elliptical.
The monsoon winds bring heavy rainfall to India. This is because:
(A) The winds pick up moisture from the Indian Ocean.
(B) The winds are blocked by the Western Ghats.
(C) The winds are blocked by the Eastern Ghats.
(D) The winds are blocked by the Himalayas.
The monsoon winds are important for India’s agriculture. This is because:
(A) The monsoon winds provide the water that crops need to grow.
(B) The monsoon winds help to cool the air.
(C) The monsoon winds help to clear the air of pollution.
(D) The monsoon winds help to prevent droughts.
The monsoon winds are also important for India’s economy. This is because:
(A) The monsoon winds provide the water that is needed for hydroelectric power generation.
(B) The monsoon winds provide the water that is needed for irrigation.
(C) The monsoon winds provide the water that is needed for drinking water.
(D) All of the above.
The monsoon winds are not always reliable. This means that:
(A) The monsoon winds may not bring enough rain.
(B) The monsoon winds may bring too much rain.
(C) The monsoon winds may not come at the expected time.
(D) All of the above.
The failure of the monsoon winds can lead to:
(A) Droughts.
(B) Floods.
(C) Crop failures.
(D) All of the above.
The monsoon winds are a major factor in the Climate of India. This means that:
(A) The monsoon winds affect the temperature of India.
(B) The monsoon winds affect the rainfall of India.
(C) The monsoon winds affect the humidity of India.
(D) All of the above.
The monsoon winds are a natural phenomenon. This means that:
(A) The monsoon winds are not caused by human activity.
(B) The monsoon winds are not affected by human activity.
(C) The monsoon winds cannot be controlled by human activity.
(D) All of the above.