- The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India.
- The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Option (c) is correct: In India Monsoons arrive at the Bay of Bengal branch and Arabian Sea branch. Bay of Bengal branch of south west monsoon reaches north east of India. The Arabian Sea Branch of the Southwest Monsoon first hits the Western Ghats of Kerala making this area first to receive rain from the Southwest Monsoon moving northwards towards western side. The duration of the monsoon is between 100 to 120 days. The low pressure system over north and north-west India gradually weakens, and this leads to the retreat of the monsoon winds by the end of this period. With large areas of western India, summer monsoon lasts from June-September and during the period central India receives more than 90% of their total annual precipitation, and southern and northwestern India receive 50%-75% of their total annual rainfall. Overall, monthly totals average 200-300 mm over the country as a whole, with the largest values observed during the heart of the monsoon season in July and August.