The correct answer is: B. Successive monsoon failure.
The monsoon is a seasonal wind pattern that brings heavy rains to India and other parts of South Asia. In Gujarat, the monsoon rains are essential for agriculture and other water-dependent industries. However, in recent years, the monsoon has failed to bring the expected rains to Gujarat, leading to drought conditions.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to monsoon failure. One factor is the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which is a climate pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean. During an El Niño event, the waters in the Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual, which can disrupt the monsoon pattern.
Another factor that can contribute to monsoon failure is climate change. Climate change is causing the Earth’s atmosphere to warm, which is leading to changes in rainfall patterns. In some parts of the world, climate change is leading to more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods.
The drought in Gujarat has had a devastating impact on the state’s economy and people. Millions of people have been affected by the drought, and many have been forced to leave their homes in search of food and water. The drought has also had a negative impact on the state’s agriculture and tourism industries.
The government of Gujarat has taken a number of measures to address the drought, including providing food and water to those affected, and providing financial assistance to farmers. However, the drought is a complex problem, and there is no easy solution.
The following are the other options and their explanations:
- A. Subsiding air masses: Subsiding air masses are dry air masses that descend from the upper atmosphere. They can cause drought conditions by preventing the formation of clouds and rain.
- C. Change in the direction of trade winds: The trade winds are a prevailing wind pattern that blows from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere. A change in the direction of the trade winds can affect the monsoon pattern and lead to drought conditions.
- D. Western disturbances: Western disturbances are a type of storm that originates in the Mediterranean Sea and moves eastward across India. They can bring rain to Gujarat, but they are not always reliable.