Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 162

In which monsoon, the Sun shines vertically over the Tropic of Cancer resulting in high temperature and low pressure is still sufficiently high over Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the position of the Sun and the atmospheric conditions during the summer months.

Correct Answer: B) Summer Monsoon.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Banking Exams, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The monsoon season in India is a significant climatic phenomenon that affects the entire subcontinent. The summer monsoon, which typically occurs between June and September, is characterized by a specific set of atmospheric conditions that are crucial for the onset and sustenance of the monsoon rains.

During the summer monsoon, the Sun's vertical rays fall over the Tropic of Cancer, which is located at approximately 23.5 degrees north latitude. This position of the Sun leads to high temperatures and low pressure over the Indian subcontinent. The low pressure over the land creates a pressure gradient that draws in moist air from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. This moist air, when it rises and cools, condenses to form clouds and eventually results in heavy rainfall.

The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal play a critical role in the summer monsoon. These water bodies are warm and provide the necessary moisture for the formation of clouds. The warm water bodies also contribute to the low pressure system over the land, which is essential for the monsoon winds to blow towards the Indian subcontinent.

It is important to understand that the other monsoon seasons, such as the winter monsoon and the retreating monsoon, do not exhibit the same conditions. The winter monsoon, for instance, occurs when the Sun is over the Tropic of Capricorn, leading to cooler temperatures and higher pressure over the Indian subcontinent. The retreating monsoon, which occurs after the summer monsoon, is characterized by a decrease in temperature and pressure as the Sun moves away from the Tropic of Cancer.

Therefore, the summer monsoon is the only season that fits the description of high temperature and low pressure with the Sun shining vertically over the Tropic of Cancer, making it the correct answer to the question.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect because the winter monsoon occurs when the Sun is over the Tropic of Capricorn, leading to cooler temperatures and higher pressure over the Indian subcontinent.
  • Option B: This option is correct because during the summer monsoon, the Sun shines vertically over the Tropic of Cancer, causing high temperatures and low pressure, which are conducive to the formation of monsoon winds over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect because the retreating monsoon occurs after the summer monsoon, when the Sun moves away from the Tropic of Cancer, leading to a decrease in temperature and pressure.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect because not all monsoons exhibit the conditions described in the question. Only the summer monsoon fits the criteria of high temperature and low pressure with the Sun shining vertically over the Tropic of Cancer.

Mnemonic: SUN: Summer Under North

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