Summary
Here's the key point: India just experienced its fifth driest December in 124 years, with rainfall plummeting to 79% below the normal average. This isn't just a statistic; it's a significant climate anomaly. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the country received only 3.3 mm of rainfall against the normal 15.9 mm. This dry spell is particularly concerning for the Rabi crop season, which heavily relies on winter rainfall for irrigation. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, crucial for agriculture, saw significant deficits. This trend, exacerbated by a strong El Niño effect, points to the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns due to climate change, impacting agricultural output and water security. Remember, such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, making climate resilience a critical UPSC topic.
Full Analysis
Here's the key point: India just experienced its fifth driest December in 124 years, with rainfall plummeting to 79% below the normal average. This isn't just a statistic; it's a significant climate anomaly. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the country received only 3.3 mm of rainfall against the normal 15.9 mm. This dry spell is particularly concerning for the Rabi crop season, which heavily relies on winter rainfall for irrigation. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, crucial for agriculture, saw significant deficits. This trend, exacerbated by a strong El Niño effect, points to the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns due to climate change, impacting agricultural output and water security. Remember, such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, making climate resilience a critical UPSC topic.
Current Developments
India recently recorded its fifth driest December in 124 years, with a significant rainfall deficit of 79% below the normal average. This extreme anomaly, reported by the IMD, saw the country receive only 3.3 mm of rainfall against a normal of 15.9 mm. This dry spell is particularly alarming for the ongoing Rabi crop season, which depends heavily on winter precipitation for irrigation. Key agricultural states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand experienced substantial deficits. The phenomenon is largely attributed to a strong El Niño effect, which typically suppresses winter rainfall in India, and points towards increasing unpredictability of weather patterns due to global climate change.
Practice MCQs
Question 1
Consider the following statements regarding winter rainfall in India:
1. The recent dry December, recorded as the fifth driest in 124 years, significantly impacts the Kharif crop season.
2. Western Disturbances are extra-tropical storm systems originating in the Mediterranean region that bring non-monsoonal precipitation to Northwest India during winter.
3. A strong El Niño event is generally associated with suppressed winter rainfall over many parts of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. The dry December primarily impacts the Rabi crop season, not Kharif, as Rabi crops are sown in winter and harvested in spring. Kharif crops rely on the Southwest Monsoon. Statement 2 is correct. Western Disturbances are crucial for winter rainfall in Northwest India. Statement 3 is correct. El Niño typically leads to warmer sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, which can disrupt global weather patterns, often resulting in reduced winter rainfall over India.
Question 2
With reference to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, consider the following statements:
1. El Niño refers to the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
2. La Niña is typically associated with stronger monsoon rainfall and cooler winters in India.
3. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) can sometimes counteract the adverse effects of El Niño on the Indian monsoon.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. El Niño is characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. Statement 2 is correct. La Niña, the cooling phase of ENSO, is generally associated with above-average monsoon rainfall and colder winters in India. Statement 3 is correct. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), particularly a positive IOD, can bring warmer waters to the western Indian Ocean, potentially mitigating the negative impact of El Niño on the Indian monsoon by enhancing rainfall over the subcontinent.
Question 3
Which of the following statements correctly describes the primary source of winter rainfall for the major Rabi crop-growing regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand?
- Retreating Southwest Monsoon
- Northeast Monsoon
- Western Disturbances
- Convectional rainfall
Explanation: The primary source of winter rainfall for the northern plains of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, which are major Rabi crop-growing regions, is Western Disturbances. These extra-tropical storms bring precipitation from the west. The retreating Southwest Monsoon primarily affects parts of South India during October-November. The Northeast Monsoon mainly impacts the southeastern coast of India (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh). Convectional rainfall is more common during pre-monsoon or monsoon periods, often localized.
Previous Year Questions
PYQ 1 - UPSC Prelims 2014 (adapted) 2014
With reference to the phenomenon of El Niño, consider the following statements:
1. El Niño is characterized by an unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
2. It typically leads to stronger monsoon rainfall in India.
3. A strong El Niño event can contribute to drier winter seasons in parts of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: El Niño is indeed characterized by the warming of surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Statement 2 is incorrect: El Niño is generally associated with weaker monsoon rainfall in India, not stronger. Statement 3 is correct: While primarily known for its impact on the summer monsoon, strong El Niño conditions can also influence global weather patterns, including contributing to drier winter seasons in certain regions of India, as observed in December 2023.
PYQ 2 - UPSC Mains GS-III 2024
Discuss the multi-faceted implications of extreme dry spells, such as the one experienced in December 2023, on India's agricultural sector and water security. Suggest measures to enhance climate resilience in this context.
PYQ 3 - SSC CGL 2024 2024
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), December 2023 was recorded as the fifth driest December in how many years?
- (a) 75 years
- (b) 100 years
- (c) 124 years
- (d) 150 years
Explanation: The IMD reported that December 2023 was the fifth driest December in 124 years.
PYQ 4 - SSC CHSL 2024 2024
What was the percentage of rainfall deficit recorded in India during December 2023 compared to the normal average?
- (a) 50%
- (b) 65%
- (c) 79%
- (d) 83%
Explanation: India experienced a rainfall deficit of 79% below the normal average in December 2023.
PYQ 5 - SSC CGL 2024 2024
Which climate phenomenon is primarily attributed to have contributed to the dry spell in India during December 2023?
- (a) La Niña
- (b) Indian Ocean Dipole
- (c) Western Disturbances
- (d) El Niño
Explanation: The dry spell was exacerbated by a strong El Niño effect.
PYQ 6 - IBPS PO 2024 2024
India recorded its fifth driest December in 124 years, with rainfall plummeting to 79% below the normal average. This dry spell is particularly concerning for which of the following crop seasons?
- (a) Kharif season
- (b) Rabi season
- (c) Zaid season
- (d) Monsoon season
Explanation: The summary explicitly states that 'This dry spell is particularly concerning for the Rabi crop season, which heavily relies on winter rainfall for irrigation.'
PYQ 7 - SBI PO 2024 2024
What was the actual rainfall received by India in December 2023, as reported by the IMD, against the normal average of 15.9 mm?
- (a) 3.3 mm
- (b) 7.9 mm
- (c) 12.6 mm
- (d) 15.9 mm
Explanation: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the country received only 3.3 mm of rainfall against the normal 15.9 mm.
PYQ 8 - IBPS Clerk 2024 2024
Which of the following regions in India experienced the highest rainfall deficit during December 2023?
- (a) South Peninsula
- (b) Central India
- (c) East & Northeast India
- (d) Northwest India
Explanation: Northwest India saw the highest deficit at 83%, followed by Central India (79%), East & Northeast India (78%), and South Peninsula (60%).
PYQ 9 - CDS 2024 2024
Consider the following statements regarding the recent dry spell in India:
1. December 2023 was the fifth driest December in 124 years.
2. The rainfall deficit was primarily attributed to strong La Niña conditions.
3. The dry spell is particularly concerning for the Kharif crop season.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect; the dry spell was attributed to strong El Niño conditions, not La Niña. Statement 3 is incorrect; the dry spell is concerning for the Rabi crop season, not Kharif.
PYQ 10 - CDS 2024 2024
El Niño, a significant climate phenomenon, is known to influence global weather patterns. In the context of India, a strong El Niño event is generally associated with:
- (a) Above-normal monsoon rainfall and cooler winters.
- (b) Below-normal monsoon rainfall and warmer winters.
- (c) Below-normal monsoon rainfall and drier winter seasons.
- (d) Above-normal monsoon rainfall and drier winter seasons.
Explanation: El Niño is generally associated with weaker (below-normal) monsoon rainfall in India. While its primary impact is on the monsoon, strong El Niño conditions can also contribute to drier winter seasons, as observed in December 2023.
PYQ 11 - CDS 2024 2024
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is responsible for weather forecasting and seismology in India. IMD functions under which of the following ministries?
- (a) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- (b) Ministry of Earth Sciences
- (c) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- (d) Ministry of Science and Technology
Explanation: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.