Consider the following statements: 1. The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India. 2. 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?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
The correct answer is C because both statements are geographically accurate.
Regarding statement 1, the monsoon arrives first in southern India around early June and retreats last from there in December. In contrast, it reaches northern India later in July and withdraws much earlier in September. Therefore, the duration of the monsoon is significantly longer in the south and decreases as one moves toward the north.
Regarding statement 2, the monsoon winds known as the Bay of Bengal branch enter India from the east and move westward along the Himalayas. As these moisture laden winds travel across the northern plains, they gradually lose their moisture. Consequently, the amount of rainfall is highest in states like West Bengal and Bihar and steadily decreases as the winds reach Punjab and Haryana in the west.
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