Q. With reference to the Northeast Monsoon, consider the following statements:
1.It is characterized by a reversal of wind direction.
2.The shifting of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) southwards is the primary cause of the northeast monsoon.
3.A La Niña event can have influence on the northeast monsoon.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Northeast Monsoon occurs when the winds reverse direction from the summer monsoon (Southwest Monsoon). During the Northeast Monsoon, the winds blow from the northeast to the southwest, bringing rain to southeastern India and Sri Lanka. La Niña generally leads to enhanced rainfall during the Northeast Monsoon by affecting wind and pressure patterns in the Indian Ocean and the surrounding regions.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While the ITCZ shifts southwards seasonally, the primary cause of the Northeast Monsoon is more directly linked to the retreat of the Southwest Monsoon and the formation of high-pressure zones over the Indian subcontinent, which drive the northeast trade winds.
Source: The Hindu
