question_answer

What is the role of' western disturbances' in the Indian climate?

Answer:

(i) A characteristic feature of the cold weather season over the northern plains is the inflow of cyclonic disturbances from the west and northwest.

(ii) These low pressure systems originate over the Mediterranean sea Western Asia and move into India, along with esterly flow.

(iii) They cause the much needed winter rains over the plains and snowfall in the mountains.

(iv) Although the total amount of winter rainfall, locally known as 'Mahawat is small, it is very useful for rabi crops.

These winds are called western disturbances since they came from western part of India.