Rainfall (Climate)

Total Questions: 28

1. Which of the following areas have an average of 200mm rainfall in India? [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 1994]

Correct Answer: (b) Jammu and Kashmir
Solution:During the question hour, the northern part of Zaskar (Zanskar) range in Jammu and Kashmir and Western part of Rajasthan receive an average annual rainfall of 200mm (20cm). Hence, option (b) can be considered as the correct answer. But from the perspective of overall state none of the above will be correct answer.

2. By which monsoon does Jharkhand receive rainfall? [Jharkhand P.C.S.(Pre) 2011]

Correct Answer: (b) South West Monsoon
Solution:Jharkhand receives its rainfall during south-west monsoon i.e. June tp September.

The southwest monsoon is a rainy season that occurs from June to September in India. It is the primary rainy season for the Indian subcontinent.

Factors that influence the southwest monsoon

  • Low pressure over the Tibetan Plateau: Intense heating during summer causes low pressure over the Tibetan Plateau.
  • High pressure in the Indian Ocean: A permanent high-pressure cell exists in the south of the Indian Ocean.
  • Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ): The ITCZ is located in the north of the equator in the summer.
  • Subtropical jet stream: This jet stream also influences the onset of the southwest monsoon.
  • The southwest monsoon brings heavy rainfall to most parts of India. The onset of the monsoon is sudden, causing a sharp drop in temperature and a rise in humidity. The southwest monsoon season is also known as the Hot-Wet Season.

3. Consider the map given below- [I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]

The mean annual rainfall in the shaded parts of India varies from-

Correct Answer: (a) 100 to 150 cm
Solution:The shaded part of India represents the region in which mean/average annual rainfall varies from 100 to 200 cm.

4. When there is very heavy rainfall in the Pushkar Hills, where does floods occur? [R.A.S./R.T.S (PRE) 2008]

Correct Answer: (c) Balotra
Solution:Balotra, in the district of Barmer, Rajasthan, is situated on the slope of the western area of Panchpadra region of Rajasthan. That is why when heavy rainfall occurs in Pushkar hills, floods occur in Balotra region.

5. A rainy day as defined by the Indian meteorological department is a day when the rainfall at a received is: [I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]

Correct Answer: (d) Above 2.5mm in 24hours.
Solution:According to the Indian Meteorological Department, a day is defined as a rainy day when it receives rainfall of 2.5 mm or more in 24 hours.

6. Assertation (A) : The Monsoonal rainfall decreases as one goes toward the West and North-West in the Ganga plain. [I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

Reason (R) : The moisture bearing Monsoonal winds go higher as one moves up in the Ganga plain.
In the context of the above two statements which one of the following is correct?

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is correct explanation of (A).
Solution:The monsoonal rainfall decreases as one goes towards the west and north-west in the Ganga plain. It means rainfall increases from west to east direction.

In the west, plains of Punjab receive an annual rainfall of 600 mm whereas Gangetic plain receives annual rainfall up to 1500 mm. In the plains of Ganga, the humidity in the air decreases gradually and therefore it tends to move upwards. The moisture of monsoonal winds affects rain.

7. Consider the map of India given below- [I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

Correct Answer: (b) All India water divide
Solution:The above map shows-All India Water Divide.

8. Match list-I with list-II and select the correct answer using the given code. [I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]

List-I (Climatic condition)List-II (Reasons)
A.Chennai is warmer than Kolkata1. North East Monsoon
B.Snowfall in Himalayan2. Altitude
C.Rainfall decreases from West Bengal to Punjab3. Western depressions
D.Sutlej-Ganga plain gets some rain in winter4. Distance from sea
5. Latitude

Code:

ABCD
(a)1245
(b)4513
(c)5243
(d)5134

 

Correct Answer: (c)
Solution:The climate of Chennai is warmer than of Kolkata due to the difference in latitudes. Snowfall occurs in the Himalayas due to a higher altitude. Rainfall decrease from West Bengal to Punjab due to distance from the sea and Satluj (Sutlej) Ganga plain gets some rain in winter due to western depression. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

9. The hallmark of watershed development in the semi arid regions of India is the- [I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

Correct Answer: (d) Setting up a system of tanks by embanking water from seasonal rivers.
Solution:The hallmark of watershed development in the semi-arid regions of India is setting up a system of tanks by embanking water from seasonal rivers. Today there are approximately 120,000 small tanks irrigating about 4. 12 million hectares of agricultural land in semi-arid areas of India.

10. How many districts in India are included in the desert development programme? [R.A.S./R.T.S (Pre) 1993]

Correct Answer: (d) 21 Districts.
Solution:The Desert Development Programme (DDP) was started in the areas of Rajasthan, Gujrat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh in 1977-78. In 1995-96 the coverage was extended to a few more districts in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

The Desert Development Programme was in operation in 131 blocks of 21 districts in 5 States up to 1994-95. But presently it covers 235 blocks of 40 districts in 7 States.