Indian Monsoon and Distribution MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Indian Monsoon and Distribution - Download Free PDF

Tamil Nadu.Key Points

• Rainshadow of the Arabian Sea branch: The Tamil Nadu coast is situated east of the Western Ghats, which block the moisture-laden Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoon. As a result, the region falls in the rainshadow area and receives little rainfall during the main monsoon season.
• Relative dryness during June–September: Because the southwest monsoon winds are blocked by the Western Ghats and the Bay of Bengal branch runs parallel to the coast, Tamil Nadu remains relatively dry during this period.
• Rainfall from cyclonic storms in October–November: Most of Tamil Nadu's rainfall comes from the northeast monsoon, which occurs after the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon, and from cyclonic storms that form in the Bay of Bengal during October and November.

The correct option is Mathura.

• Mathura district receives the lowest rainfall in Uttar Pradesh.
  • Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh receives on an average 54.4 cm of rainfall
  • Mathura has dry periods in January, February, March, April, May, October, November, and December.

Additional Information

• The climate of Mathura is tropical extreme with very hot summers.
• Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh receives the highest rainfall in Uttar Pradesh
• Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh receives on an average 184.7cm rainfall.
• The Gorakhpur lies at 82m above sea level.
• The temperature of Gorakhpur averages 25.5 °C.
• The Kanpur lies at 132m above sea level.
• The climate in Kanpur is warm and temperate.

The correct answer is the Western Ghats.Key Points

• Tamil Nadu is located on the eastern coast of India.
• South India usually receives rainfall from southwest monsoons.
• But these south west monsoon arising from Arabian Sea gets obstructed by Western Ghats.
• Hence, Tamil Nadu receives most of its rain from north east and retreating monsoons during winter season.
• Moreover, many low pressure systems develop in the Bay of Bengal during this period and move towards the east coast of Tamil Nadu causing heavy rainfall.

 Tamil Nadu receives rainfall from Northeast trade winds.

• From early June to mid-September, between 100- 120 days is the duration of the monsoon. Some places like Tamil Nadu receive a major portion of its rainfall during October and November, but most parts of the country receive rainfall from June to September.
• During the winter season, the winds prevailing in the country are the Northeast trade winds.
• In major parts of the country, it is a dry season, as the winds blow from land to sea.
• When the winds blow from sea to land, it picks up moisture from the sea and brings rainfall to the country.
• Due to the geographical location, the east coast receives rainfall as the north east trade winds blow from sea to land in this location. Hence the coast of Tamil Nadu receives winter rainfall.

Additional Information  Monsoon

• Generally, across the world, the monsoons are experienced in the tropical area roughly between 20° N and 20° S.
• The climate of India is described as the ‘monsoon’ type. In Asia, this type of climate is found mainly in the south and the southeast.
• Out of a total of 4 seasonal divisions of India, monsoon occupies 2 divisions, namely.
  • The southwest monsoon season - Rainfall received from the southwest monsoons is seasonal in character, and occurs between June and September.
  • The retreating monsoon season - The months of October and November are known for retreating monsoons.
• Factors Influencing South-West Monsoon Formation
  • The differential heating and cooling of land and water create a low pressure on the landmass of India while the seas around experience comparatively high pressure.
  • The shift of the position of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in summer, over the Ganga plain (this is the equatorial trough normally positioned about 5°N of the equator. It is also known as the monsoon-trough during the monsoon season).

The correct answer is the Rainshadow area.

Key Points

• A rainshadow area is a region of dry land that lies on the leeward side of a mountain.
  • When moist air from the ocean or a large water body rises up a mountain range, it cools and condenses to form clouds and precipitation.
  • This process is known as orographic precipitation.
  • As the air moves over the mountain and descends on the other side, it warms up and dries out, leading to a rainshadow area.
•  The term 'leeward side' refers to the side of the mountain that faces away from the prevailing wind direction. It is the opposite of the 'windward side', which faces towards the wind. The windward side receives more rainfall and is typically more humid than the leeward side.
•  Mountainous areas are regions that are characterized by high elevations and steep slopes. They can have a significant impact on the climate and weather patterns of the surrounding areas, including the formation of rainshadow areas.
•  The other options - Windward Side and Leeward Side - are not correct answers because they only describe the location of the mountain with respect to the prevailing wind direction and do not convey any information about the dry area on the other side of the mountain.
•  It is worth noting that rainshadow areas can vary in size and severity depending on the height, width, and orientation of the mountain range, as well as the amount of moisture in the incoming air mass. Some examples of well-known rainshadow areas include the Great Basin in the western United States, the Atacama Desert in South America, and the Gobi Desert in Asia.

Additional Information

• Rainshadow region:  A rain shadow is a dry area on the leeward side of a mountainous area (away from the wind). The mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems and cast a "shadow" of dryness behind them. Wind and moist air are drawn by the prevailing winds towards the top of the mountains, where it condenses and precipitates before it crosses the top. The air, without much moisture left, advances across the mountains creating a drier side called the "rain shadow".
• As the summer (wet) monsoons approach the West Coast of India, they rise up the Western Ghats (mountains) and the air cools. This cool air is less able to hold moisture and it is released as rainfall. This is called OROGRAPHIC RAINFALL. 
• The western ghats face the problem of land sliding and droughts in the rain shadow areas. The western ghats extend from the Satpura range in the north to south past Maharashtra, Goa, through Karnataka, and into Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The correct answer is Kerala.

• The Monsoon arrives first in Kerala.

​Key Points

• The Arabian Sea Branch of the Southwest Monsoon first hits the Western Ghats of the coastal state of Kerala, India.
• It moves northwards providing rain to the coastal areas of the Western Ghats.
• Thus making this area the first state in India to receive rain from the Southwest Monsoon.
• India gets southwest monsoon winds in the summers and northeast monsoons during the winters.
• The southwest monsoon arrives in two branches
  • ​​Bay of Bengal branch
  • Arabian Sea branch.
• The Arabian Sea side monsoon creates a low-pressure area on the Thar Desert.
• It is quite stronger than the Bay of Bengal side monsoon.
• The Bay of Bengal side of the monsoon flows over the Bay of Bengal and heads towards North-Eastern India and Bengal.

​Additional Information   

• Southwest monsoon winds bring heavy rainfall to most parts of the country
• Factors influencing the onset of SW monsoons
  • Intense low-pressure formation over the Tibetan Plateau
  • The permanent high-pressure cell in the South of the Indian Ocean
  • Subtropical jet stream
  • African Easterly jet (Tropical easterly jet)
  • Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
• Factors influencing intensity of SW monsoons
  • Strengths of the low pressure over the Tibetan plateau and the high pressure over the south Indian Ocean
  • Somali Jet
  • Somali Current
  • Indian Ocean dipole
  • Indian Ocean branch of the Walker Cell
• Assam receives typical monsoon rains.
• The southwest monsoon rains start from the third week of June and they continue up to the middle of September.

The correct answer is Karnataka.

Key Points

• In India, Mango showers occur as a result of thunderstorm development over the Bay of Bengal.
• They are with different names in different places:
  • Cherry Blossom showers or Coffee showers in Karnataka;
  • Kaal Baisakhi in Bengal;
  • Bardoisila in Assam
• Cheery blossoms or mango showers are the names given to pre-monsoon rainfall.
• They are rains caused by a lightning storm.

 Thus, we can say that in Karnataka, the rain caused by a lightning storm is called 'Cherry Blossom'.

The correct answer is "Kerala".

Key Points

• Mango showers are pre-monsoon showers.
• These are common in the states of Kerala and Karnataka.
• These rains help in the ripening of mangoes and occur at the end of the summer season.
• These are also referred to as April rains.

Additional Information

• Blossom showers -
  • This is also known as a cherry blossom or espresso shower.
  • This occurs nearby the wind areas.
  • This period in India is referred to as the early monsoon.
• Tea shower -
  • Pre-monsoon rain is required for tea plantations.
  • This is known as the 'Tea shower' in Assam.
  • In West Bengal, it is called Kalbaishakh.

The correct answer is Kerala.

Key Points

• The Western Ghats of Kerala, a coastal state in India, are where the Arabian Sea Branch of the Southwest Monsoon enters the country, making this area the first to see rainfall from the monsoon.
• Kerala, an Indian coastal state, is the first state in India to experience rainfall from the Southwest Monsoon because the Arabian Sea Branch of the monsoon strikes the Western Ghats first.

Additional Information

• In general, it is anticipated that the southwest monsoon would start around the beginning of June and terminate by the end of September.
• The Arabian Sea Branch and the Bay of Bengal Branch are formed when the moisture-laden winds split upon reaching the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, which is a result of its topography.

The correct answer June to September.

Key Points

• Southwest monsoons winds:
  • India receives most of its rainfall from the southwest monsoon winds.
  • Southwest Monsoon period is referred to as the period between June to September.
  • South West monsoons are the rain-bearing seasonal winds that flow from the Arabian Sea towards India's mainland in the South-West direction.

Additional Information

• North-east monsoons:
  • When winds move back from the land to the sea, it is known as retreating monsoons. 
  • Retreating monsoons are also called as north-east monsoons. 
  • October to December is referred to as the period of North-east monsoons.
  • They start with the withdrawal of southwest monsoons.
  • The Tamilnadu receives the highest rainfall from North-East monsoon.

The correct answer is North-Eastern monsoon.

Key Points 

Northeast monsoon:

• Retreating monsoon in India can be experienced in October-November.
• Monsoon winds are retreating gradually and the sudden rise of temperature with October heat.
• Day temperature is high and nights are cool and pleasant. 
• The average minimum temperature falls below 20o C.
• It leads to rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.
•  Its direction is from northeast to southwest.
• A minor part of the annual rainfall in India is due to this type of North-Eastern monsoon.

​Thus, the northeastern monsoon causes rainfall on the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu at the beginning of winters.

Additional Information 

Monsoon:

• The term ‘monsoon is derived from the Arabic word 'mausim', meaning season.
• ​A monsoon is a seasonal change in the direction of the prevailing, or strongest, winds of a region.
• Monsoons cause wet and dry seasons throughout much of the tropics.
• Monsoons are most often associated with the Indian Ocean and the Indian sub-continent. 

Southwest monsoon:

• Southwest monsoon in India can be experienced in June-September.
• The whole of India comes under the southwest monsoon.
• India faces severe cyclones and thunderstorms.
• The temperature remains low during July and August.
• This rises high in September with a decreasing amount of precipitation.
• A major part of annual rainfall in India is due to the South-West monsoon.

The correct answer is West Bengal and Assam.

Key Points

• According to the India Meteorological Department, the pre-monsoon season lasts from March to May, therefore any precipitation during this time can be attributed to pre-monsoon showers.
• In Bengal and Assam, these terrifying evening thunderstorms are common. Their notoriety can be understood from the local term "Kalbaisakhi," which refers to a catastrophe that occurs in the month of Baisakh.
• These showers are helpful for growing rice, jute, and tea. These storms are referred to as "Bardoli Chheerha" in Assam.

Additional Information

•  Pre-Monsoon shower
  • ​Pre-monsoon rains, sometimes known as "mango showers," can range from small sprinkles to heavy downpours accompanying thunder. The thunderstorm that formed in the Bay of Bengal is to blame for them. 
  • Particularly around the shores of Kerala and Karnataka, pre-monsoon showers are frequent.
  • Before the rainy season officially begins, there are pre-monsoon showers. It takes place from March to May. They can be anything from little drizzles to violent thunderstorms.
  • They aid in the early ripening of mangoes and are sometimes known as summer rains or mango showers.

The correct answer is Western Ghats.

• India receives rainfall from two monsoons:
  • South-West Monsoon
  • North-East Monsoon

Key Points

• South West Monsoon is a major one that occurs from July -September.
  • The majority of Indian states receive the rainfall from this Monsoon.
  • Rain hits first the state of Kerala and along with the coastal areas of Karnataka/Maharastra ( Konken coastal area).
  • After it gains momentum it crosses the Western ghats and causes downpours in all other states of India.
• North-East Monsoon mostly starts at end of September.
  • This monsoon wind gets obstructed by Eastern ghats and downpours at the eastern coastal area (Coramendal Cost) along with Andra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
  • The coastal area of Andra Pradesh and the majority of Tamil Nadu receives most of the rainfall from this Monsoon.

Additional Information

• In- between the area of Western and Eastern ghats called Deccan Plateau (dry area) receives very little rainfall from both Monsoons. 

The correct answer is Punjab.

Key Points

• The southwest monsoon arrives in two branches called the Bay of Bengal branch and the Arabian Sea branch.
• The Arabian Sea side monsoon creates a low-pressure area on the Thar Desert.
• It is quite stronger than the Bay of Bengal side monsoon.
• The Arabian Sea Branch of the Southwest Monsoon first hits the Western Ghats of the coastal state of Kerala, India, thus making this area the first state in India to receive rain from the Southwest Monsoon.
• During the South-West Monsoon, Tamil Nadu remains dry because it is located in a rain shadow area.
• The advance of the monsoon is much faster in the Bay of Bengal than in the Arabian Sea.
• Punjab-Haryana plains are almost equidistant from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Further, direction of both branches of the monsoon winds is oriented towards the Punjab, Haryana plain and this area receives rainfall both from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea monsoons. Hence, Option 1 is correct.
• 

The correct answer is the Western Ghats.

• India receives rainfall from two monsoons:
  • South-West Monsoon
  • North-East Monsoon

  Key Points

• South West Monsoon is a major one that occurs from July -to September.
  • The majority of Indian states receive rainfall from this Monsoon.
  • Rain hits first the state of Kerala and along with the coastal areas of Karnataka/Maharastra ( Konken coastal area).
  • After it gains momentum it crosses the Western ghats and causes downpours in all other states of India.

• North-East Monsoon mostly starts at end of September.
  • This monsoon wind gets obstructed by Eastern ghats and downpours at the eastern coastal area (Coramendal Cost) along with Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
  • The coastal area of Andhra Pradesh and the majority of Tamil Nadu receives most of the rainfall from this Monsoon.

Additional Information 

• In- between the area of Western and Eastern ghats called Deccan Plateau (dry area) receives very little rainfall from both Monsoons. 

The correct answer is Monsoon.

Key Points

• The seasonal reversal in the wind direction during the year is known as Monsoon.
• Monsoon refers to the seasonal reversal in the wind direction during a year.
• Monsoon tends to have ‘breaks’ in rainfall; which means that there are wet and dry spells in between.
• The monsoon rains take place only for a few days at a time and then come to the rainless intervals. Seasonal reversal of wind direction takes place over the Indian subcontinent because in winter there is a high-pressure area in the north of the Himalayas & there is a low-pressure area over the ocean to the south. So cold and dry winds blow from the Himalayan region towards the ocean.
• In summer due to high temperatures, a low-pressure area develops over interior Asia as well as over northwestern India. This causes a complete reversal of the direction of the wind during summer and the rise of the Southwest monsoon.
• The bulk rainfall in India is received during the 4 months of the rainy season i.e June, July, August, and September. This is the period of Southwest monsoons blowing from sea to land. Only the Eastern coast of India receives some rainfall from the Northeast trade winds during the cold weather season.