What is the cause for rainfall during winters in the northern part of India?

The correct answer is Western disturbance.

Key Points

• Western disturbances are weather systems that originate in the Mediterranean region.
• They are typically characterized by an extratropical storm that travels from the west to the east.
• These systems bring sudden winter rain to the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent, including northern India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
• The moisture in these disturbances usually comes from the Mediterranean Sea, the Caspian Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean.
• The passage of these disturbances leads to an increase in cloud cover and precipitation.
• They play a crucial role in the winter rainfall pattern and are vital for the Rabi crops in the region.

 Additional Information

• Cyclonic depression
  • A cyclonic depression is a region of low pressure with counterclockwise wind flow in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • These are typically associated with cyclones and hurricanes and can cause heavy rainfall and strong winds.
  • They are more common during the monsoon season rather than winter.
• EL-NINO
  • EL-NINO is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
  • It affects global weather patterns, including reducing winter rainfall in the Indian subcontinent.
• LA-NINA
  • LA-NINA is the counterpart of El-Nino, characterized by the unusual cooling of ocean surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
  • It often leads to increased rainfall in some regions and drought in others.