Question 2491

The monsoonal region delineated on the basis of significant change in the wind direction between winter and summer (with the direction of the prevailing wind within each season being reasonably steady) extends over a large part of the tropics, namely, 25◦S to 35◦N, 30◦W to 170◦E. Near the center of this monsoonal region is the Indian subcontinent and the ocean surrounding it, which experiences large seasonal variation in wind direction. For the millions inhabiting monsoonal regions, the seasonal variation of the rainfall associated with the monsoon system is of far greater importance than the seasonal variation of wind, which was critical knowledge for Arab sailors. The space-time variation of rainfall has such a large impact on the resources of the region that it has been said that the Indian economy is a gamble on the monsoon rains. Over a large part of the Indian region, most of the rainfall occurs in the months of June to September during the summer monsoon (or the so-called southwest monsoon, named after the direction of prevailing surface wind). Match the following local storms with their correct definition: I. Mango Shower A) Pre-Monsoon showers which help in blossoming of coffee flowers II. Blossom Shower B) Pre-Monsoon showers which help in the ripening of mangoes III. Nor Westers C) Hot, dry and oppressing winds blowing in Northern plains IV. Loo D) Evening thunderstorms in Bengal and Assam