Climate - Class 9 Geography Chapter 4

Q1. What is Mahawat? Explain its role in Rabi crops.

Answer:

• Mahawat is the name given to the small amount of winter rainfall in north and north-west India.

• This rainfall is caused by western disturbances that come from the Mediterranean region during the winter season.

• Though the rainfall is limited, it is very important for Rabi crops like wheat, barley, mustard, and gram.

• It provides the much-needed moisture in the soil during winter, which helps these crops grow properly.

Q2. “Monsoon is a unifying bond for India.” Explain.

Answer: The monsoon plays a unifying role in India because it affects almost the entire country at the same time. Farmers everywhere depend on it for growing crops, so agriculture in north, south, east, and west all depend on the arrival of rains. Festivals, food habits, and daily life in different regions are linked with the monsoon season. Even though rainfall is uneven, the monsoon creates a common climatic rhythm which binds the people of India together.

Q3. Why does Mumbai receive rainfall in summer while Chennai receive rainfall in winter?

Answer: Mumbai receive rainfall in summer from the Arabian sea branch from June to September. Mumbai receive rainfall in summer as it is located on the Western coast. It is on the windward side of Western Ghat.

Chennai is located on the eastern coast. The Arabian Sea branch become offshore. The Bay of Bengal branch moves parallel to the eastern coast. Chennai receive rainfall from the North East monsoon by cyclones from the October to November.

Q4. Describe the regional variations in the climatic conditions of India with the help of suitable examples.

Answer: There is regional variation in the climatic conditions of India. Temperature and Precipitation vary from place to place and season to season.

• In summers the temperature rises up to 50°C in parts of Rajasthan, whereas it may be around 20°C in Pahalgam in Kashmir.

• In winters night temperature in Dress in Kashmir may be minus 45°C, whereas in Tiruvanantapuram in Kerala may have a temperature of 20°C.

• In Andaman Islands the difference between day and night temperature may be hardly 7° – 8°C.

• Coastal areas experience less contrast in the temperature, whereas seasonal contrasts are more in the interior of the country.

Q5. What role do monsoons play in India's agriculture?

Answer: Monsoons play a pivotal and irreplaceable role in India's agriculture, influencing every aspect of crop production, water management, and rural livelihoods. The arrival and behaviour of the monsoon determine the success or failure of crops, affecting food security, economic stability, and overall well-being of millions of people.

• Water Source: The monsoon is the primary source of water for agriculture in India.

• Crop Growth: Adequate and timely rainfall during the monsoon is essential for initiating and sustaining crop growth

• Seasonal Crop Cycle: Indian agriculture follows a seasonal crop cycle aligned with the monsoons. Kharif crops, including rice, millets, and pulses, are sown with the onset of the monsoon rains.

• Rabi Crops: The post-monsoon months are crucial for the growth of Rabi crops like wheat, barley, and oilseeds.

• Food Security: The success of monsoon-dependent crops directly impacts food security.

A good monsoon translates to higher agricultural output, availability of staple foods, and stable prices.

Q6. The monsoon is known for its uncertainties. Explain.

Answer: The Indian monsoon does not follow a fixed pattern every year. It is called uncertain because:

1. Date of Arrival: The monsoon may arrive early in some years and late in others.
2. Breaks in Rainfall: Rain does not fall every day. There are wet spells followed by dry spells.
3. Uneven Distribution: Some areas get heavy floods while others face drought in the same season.
4. Amount of Rainfall: The total rainfall changes from year to year. Some years are very wet, others much drier.
5. Retreat of Monsoon: The withdrawal of monsoon also varies; sometimes it lingers longer, sometimes shorter.

Q7. Briefly discuss the distribution of rainfall in India.

Answer: The distribution of rainfall in India is highly uneven:

1. High Rainfall Areas: Over 400 cm of rain in north-eastern states (like Meghalaya, Mawsynram, and Cherrapunji) and the western coast (Western Ghats).
2. Moderate Rainfall Areas: Most of the country, like the Northern Plains, eastern plateau, and coastal areas, gets between 100–200 cm of rainfall.

3. Low Rainfall Areas: Western Rajasthan, parts of Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and the Deccan plateau get less than 60 cm of rainfall. The Leh–Ladakh region in Jammu & Kashmir also gets very little rainfall.

4. Snowfall: Only the Himalayan region receives snowfall in winter.

Q8. Why does India have a monsoon type of climate?

Answer: India has a monsoon type of climate because the winds change their direction with the seasons. In summer, low pressure develops over north India, so moist winds from the oceans blow towards the land, bringing rain. In winter, the pressure is high over land and low over the sea, so dry winds blow from land to sea, giving dry weather.

Q9. Why do coastal regions experience less contrast in temperature than interior regions?

Answer: Coastal areas remain neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter because the sea has a balancing effect. The sea heats up and cools down slowly, which controls the temperature of nearby places. But in interior areas, away from the sea, there is no such effect, so summers become very hot and winters very cold.

Q10. Why does rainfall decrease from east to west in the Northern Plains?

Answer: The monsoon winds enter India from the Bay of Bengal side and move westwards. These winds are full of moisture when they reach eastern states like West Bengal and Bihar, so they cause heavy rainfall there. As they move westward, they lose moisture, so Punjab and Rajasthan get very little rainfall.

Q11. Describe the four main seasons of India.

Answer: India has four main seasons:

1. Winter (November–February): It is cold and dry. North India experiences low temperatures, clear skies, and light rainfall due to western disturbances.
2. Summer (March–May): Temperature rises sharply, especially in north India. Hot, dry winds called loo blow, and dust storms are common. Southern states get pre-monsoon rains known as mango showers.
3. Rainy Season (June–September): The south-west monsoon brings heavy rainfall across most of India. Some places face floods, while some areas get less rain.
4. Retreating Monsoon (October–November): The monsoon winds withdraw. Days are hot and humid, called “October heat.” Cyclones often hit the east coast, especially Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Q12. “Monsoon is a unifying bond for India.” Explain.

Answer: The monsoon binds India together because almost the whole country depends on it for water. Farmers all over India wait for the monsoon to grow crops. Festivals, food habits, and daily life in different regions are linked with rainfall. The entire country, from north to south and east to west, eagerly waits for the rains. Even though rainfall is uneven, the monsoon gives a common climatic rhythm to the whole country.

Q13. Explain the factors that affect the climate of India.

Answer: The climate of India is affected by six main factors:

1. Latitude: The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of India. Areas to the south are tropical (hot), while areas to the north are sub-tropical (cooler).
2. Altitude: Higher places are cooler than lowlands. The Himalayas block the cold winds from Central Asia, so north India does not become extremely cold.
3. Pressure and Winds: In summer, low pressure develops over north-west India, attracting moist monsoon winds that bring rain. In winter, high pressure develops, and dry winds blow from land to sea.
4. Distance from the Sea: Coastal areas like Mumbai have moderate temperatures due to the sea’s influence. Interior places like Delhi face extreme heat in summer and cold in winter.
5. Relief: The Western Ghats and Himalayas affect rainfall. The windward side of mountains gets heavy rain, while the leeward side (rain shadow) remains dry.
6. Ocean Currents: Warm and cold ocean currents influence the temperature of nearby coastal areas.

 Q14. Differentiate between Mango Showers and Kaal Baisakhi.

Answer:

Point	Mango Showers	Kaal Baisakhi
Season	Occur in the pre-monsoon period (April–May).	Occur in the hot summer season, especially in May.
Region	Found mainly in Kerala and Karnataka (South India).	Found mainly in West Bengal and Assam (Eastern India).
Nature	Light, short-duration rainfall.	Sudden thunderstorms with heavy rain and strong winds.
Local Name	Called Mango Showers because they help in early ripening of mangoes.	Called Kaal Baisakhi (meaning “calamity of Baisakh”) because of their violent nature.
Effect	Beneficial for crops like mangoes and coffee.	Can damage crops, trees, and houses.