Indian Climate, Rivers & Monsoon

What you'll learn

Learn how India's monsoon works, why the summer winds reverse and split into two branches, what El Niño and IOD do to the rain, and how the Himalayan and Peninsular river families differ.

This chapter has

Indian Climate, Rivers & Monsoon — solved practice questions

8 UPSC Geography questions with step-by-step solutions. Attempt each, then reveal the answer.

1. Q1medium

   The southwest summer monsoon approaches the Indian mainland along two branches. These are the:

   • ACaspian Sea and Bay of Bengal branches
   • BArabian Sea and Bay of Bengal branches
   • CArabian Sea and Indian Ocean branches
   • DMediterranean and Arabian Sea branches
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal branches

   The southwest monsoon splits into the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch, which together bring the bulk of India's annual rainfall.

2. Q2easy

   Which of the following typically receives the highest average annual rainfall in India?

   • AMawsynram (Meghalaya)
   • BMumbai (Maharashtra)
   • CThiruvananthapuram (Kerala)
   • DShillong (Meghalaya)
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) Mawsynram (Meghalaya)

   Mawsynram in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya records the highest average annual rainfall, as the funnel-shaped hills force moisture-laden monsoon winds to rise sharply.

3. Q3medium

   The Coromandel coast (Tamil Nadu) receives most of its rainfall during October–November mainly from the:

   • ASouthwest monsoon (Arabian Sea branch)
   • BWestern disturbances
   • CRetreating (northeast) monsoon
   • DLoo winds
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) Retreating (northeast) monsoon

   During the retreating (northeast) monsoon, winds pick up moisture over the Bay of Bengal and bring substantial rainfall to the Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu.

4. Q4hard

   The winter rainfall in northwestern India, beneficial for rabi crops like wheat, is chiefly caused by:

   • AThe Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon
   • BTropical cyclones from the Arabian Sea
   • CConvectional thunderstorms
   • DWestern disturbances originating over the Mediterranean region
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (D) Western disturbances originating over the Mediterranean region

   Western disturbances are extratropical storms that originate over the Mediterranean region and travel eastward with the subtropical westerly jet, bringing winter rain (mahawat) to northwestern India.

5. Q5medium

   Pre-monsoon showers in Kerala and Karnataka that help the early ripening of mangoes are locally called:

   • AKaal Baisakhi
   • BMango showers
   • CLoo
   • DMahawat
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) Mango showers

   These pre-monsoon showers in Kerala and coastal Karnataka are called 'mango showers' because they aid the early ripening of mangoes.

6. Q6medium

   The El Niño phenomenon is generally associated with which effect on the Indian southwest monsoon?

   • AConsistently above-normal rainfall
   • BNo significant effect
   • CA tendency toward weak or deficient rainfall
   • DEarly onset with widespread flooding
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) A tendency toward weak or deficient rainfall

   El Niño, the warming of the central and eastern Pacific, is broadly associated with a tendency toward weak or deficient rainfall over India, whereas La Niña years often favour a good monsoon.

7. Q7easy

   The 'Loo' is best described as:

   • AA hot, dry local wind blowing over the northern plains in summer
   • BA cold wind descending from the Himalayas in winter
   • CA rain-bearing wind from the Bay of Bengal
   • DA cyclonic storm of the Coromandel coast
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) A hot, dry local wind blowing over the northern plains in summer

   The Loo is a strong, hot and dry local wind that blows over the northern plains of India during the day in the summer months of May and June.

8. Q8hard

   The violent pre-monsoon evening thunderstorms in West Bengal and Assam, known as 'Norwesters', are locally called:

   • AMango showers
   • BMahawat
   • CLoo
   • DKaal Baisakhi
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (D) Kaal Baisakhi

   In West Bengal these dreaded pre-monsoon squalls are called Kaal Baisakhi; they are also famous as 'Norwesters' and are locally known as 'Bardoli Chheerha' in Assam.

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