Q. With reference to the Southwest Monsoon, consider the following statements;
1.The onset of southwest monsoon is announced by Kerala Government.
2.Southwest monsoon season brings more than 70 per cent of the country’s annual rainfall.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: The onset of southwest monsoon is announced by IMD, after the following parameters are met,
Rainfall: At least 60% of 14 designated meteorological stations in Kerala and Lakshadweep record at least 2.5 mm of rain for two consecutive days at any time after May 10.
Wind field: The depth of westerlies should be upto 600 hectopascal (1 hPa is equal to 1 millibar of pressure) in the area bound by the equator to 10ºN latitude, and from longitude 55ºE to 80ºE.
Heat: Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) value (a measure of the energy emitted to space by the Earth’s surface, oceans, and atmosphere) should be below 200 watt per sq m (wm2) in the box confined by 5-10ºN latitude and 70-75ºE latitude.
Statement 2 is correct: Southwest monsoon season over India, which brings more than 70 per cent of the country’s annual rainfall.
Source: Indian Express
