Consider the following statements:
1. The Indian monsoon is divided into the Southwest Monsoon and Northeast Monsoon.
2. The retreating monsoon is associated with the development of cyclonic depressions in the Bay of Bengal.
3. The Western Disturbances are the primary cause of snowfall in the Himalayan region.
4. El Niño is known to have an enhancing effect on the monsoon rains in India.
Which of the statements above is/are correct?
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Correct option is A

​The correct answer is (a) 1, 2, and 3 only

Explanation:

1. The Indian monsoon is indeed divided into two parts:
• Southwest Monsoon (June–September)
• Northeast or Retreating Monsoon (October–December)
2. The retreating monsoon brings cyclonic depressions in the Bay of Bengal, leading to rainfall in parts of eastern and southern India, especially Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
3. Western Disturbances are temperate cyclones originating in the Mediterranean Sea, and they bring winter rainfall and snowfall to the northwestern Himalayan region.
4. El Niño typically has a negative impact on the Indian monsoon, often leading to weaker monsoon rains and drought-like conditions in India.

Information Booster:

Indian Monsoon:

The Indian monsoon is a seasonal reversing wind system that brings significant rainfall across the Indian subcontinent. It plays a vital role in agriculture, water supply, and ecosystem balance.

• Definition: A monsoon is a seasonal wind system accompanied by heavy rainfall due to differential heating of land and sea.
• Duration: Typically from June to September (Southwest Monsoon) and October to November (Northeast Monsoon).
• Cause: Caused by the differential heating of the landmass of India and the surrounding oceans.

Types of Monsoon in India

India experiences two main types of monsoons:

1. Southwest Monsoon (Summer Monsoon)

June to September

• Origin: Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal
• Direction: South-west to north-east
• Divided into two branches:
• Arabian Sea Branch – Hits the Western Ghats (Kerala coast) and causes heavy rainfall on the windward side.
• Bay of Bengal Branch – Moves towards northeast India and Bangladesh, enters India via West Bengal and Assam.
• Rainfall Pattern:
• Covers most of India.
• Accounts for 75–80% of annual rainfall.

Northeast Monsoon (Retreating or Winter Monsoon)

October to November

• Origin: Indian subcontinent (land to sea flow)
• Direction: North-east to south-west
• Nature: Dry winds (continental origin), but picks up moisture over Bay of Bengal and causes rain in Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
• Rainfall: Limited and more localized
• Importance: Crucial for agriculture in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh.