Q- What is the role of the ‘Western disturbances’ in the Indian climate?
Answer- The main roles of ‘Western disturbances’ in the Indian climate are as follows:
1. A characteristic feature of the cold weather season over the Northern plains is the inflow of cyclonic disturbances from the west and the northwest.
2. They causes the much needed winter rains over the plains and snowfall in the mountains.
3. These low pressure systems originates over the Mediterranean Sea and Western Asia and move into India, along with easterly flow.
4. Although the total amount of winter rainfall, locally known as ‘Mahawat’ is small, it is very useful; for rabi crops.
These winds are also called western disturbances since they came from the western part of India.