31st March 2025 (31 Topics)

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Cloud patterns & impact on India’s Monsoon dynamics

Context

A recent study shows that during India’s summer monsoon, deep convective clouds (which bring heavy rain) have risen by about 1 km in the last 20 years. This means more intense monsoon rains and extreme weather events like floods and heavy storms.

Why is this Happening?

Warmer Oceans: The Indian Ocean’s rising temperature is fueling stronger cloud formation.
Increased Convection: More heat and moisture lead to taller clouds, which bring more intense rainfall.

Impact on India

More Floods in Northwest India: Stronger monsoon storms increase flooding risks in states like Rajasthan, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh.
Heavier Rain on Coastal Regions:
- Western Coast (Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra) sees intense rainfall due to warm ocean air.
- Eastern Coast (Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal) experiences stronger storms.
Increased Rain in Northeast India: States like Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh may see more intense rainfall.

Fact Box:

Types of Clouds (Based on Height and Appearance)

A. High Clouds (Above 6,000 meters)

Cirrus – Wispy, feather-like clouds; indicate fair weather but may signal storms.
Cirrostratus – Thin, sheet-like clouds covering the sky; cause a "halo" around the sun/moon.
Cirrocumulus – Small, white patches in a wave pattern; called "mackerel sky".

B. Middle Clouds (2,000–6,000 meters)

Altostratus – Grayish cloud layers covering the sky; bring light rain.
Altocumulus – White or gray patches in groups; indicate weather change.

C. Low Clouds (Below 2,000 meters)

Stratus – Uniform, gray clouds covering the sky; cause light drizzle.
Stratocumulus – Low, lumpy clouds; can bring light rain but mostly dry.
Nimbostratus – Thick, dark clouds bringing continuous rain or snow.

D. Vertical Clouds (Can Grow from Low to High Levels)

Cumulus – Puffy, white clouds with a flat base; indicate fair weather.
Cumulonimbus (Deep Convective Clouds) – Towering clouds with an anvil-shaped top; bring thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, or tornadoes.

Deep Convective Clouds

These are large towering clouds that reach high into the atmosphere.
They form due to strong rising air (convection) caused by heat and moisture. They bring heavy rain, thunderstorms, and extreme weather events.

Indian Monsoon

The monsoon is a seasonal wind pattern that brings heavy rains to India, especially in summer. It has two phases:
Southwest Monsoon (June–September): Brings rainfall to most of India (majority of annual rainfall). It is the main rainy season.
Northeast Monsoon (October–December): Brings rainfall mainly to Tamil Nadu and South India.
Formation Mechanism:
- Heat and Low Pressure: During summer, the Indian landmass heats up more than the surrounding oceans. This creates a low-pressure area over northern India and Central Asia.
- Moist Air Influx: Moist air from the Indian Ocean is drawn towards this low-pressure area. As the moist air reaches land, it is forced to rise.
- Cloud Formation and Rain: As the air rises, it cools down, forming clouds. The cooling causes water vapor to condense into rain, leading to heavy downpours.
Wind Reversal:
- Before Monsoon, winds blow from the northeast.
- During Monsoon, the wind direction reverses (to the southwest), bringing in moist air from the ocean.
- After Monsoon, when the land cools down with the onset of winter, winds reverse again (to the northeast), marking the retreat of the monsoon.
Climate pattern impacting Monsoon: El Nino, La Nina, Indian Ocean Dipole, Oscillations; and Jet Stream, etc.

PYQ

Q. How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscape? Discuss. (2015)

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