Question

“There were three main factors behind the excess rainfall in northwest India (meteorological name for north India) this season. One, this was a good monsoon year; that is, large-scale features such as conditions in the Pacific and Indian oceans were favourably disposed for above-normal rainfall over India,” said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, IMD director general. “The two other factors were the high number of low-pressure systems (that sweep in from Bay of Bengal) and western disturbances (coming from southern Europe). We also had multiple instances of these two systems interacting with each other. Such interactions result in heavy rain spells in north India, particularly the Himalayan regions,” Mohapatra added. - Times of India, 20 September, 2025

1. What do you understand by “good monsoon”?
2. Draw a diagram explaining what Mr Mohapatra is saying.
3. What was the outcome of the “heavy rain spells in north India, particularly the Himalayan regions”? Collect articles for the same.
4. What can be done to mitigate the effect of such rain spells?

Answer 1

1. A good monsoon is a monsoon season that brings timely, well-distributed and adequate rainfall over most parts of India. It provides sufficient water for agriculture, reservoirs and rivers, resulting in good crop production and improved water availability.
2. 
   
3. The heavy rain spells caused:
   1. Flash floods and landslides.
   2. Damage to roads, bridges and houses.
   3. Disruption of transport and communication.
   4. Loss of crops and property.
   5. Loss of human lives and livestock.
   6. Evacuation of people from affected areas
      Activity: Paste or attach newspaper or online articles related to heavy rainfall and landslides in the Himalayan region.
4. 
   
   1. Improve weather forecasting and early warning systems.
   2. Restrict construction in landslide-prone and flood-prone areas.
   3. Plant more trees and prevent deforestation.
   4. Develop proper drainage and flood-control systems.
   5. Strengthen embankments and slope protection measures.
   6. Prepare disaster management and evacuation plans.
   7. Create public awareness about flood and landslide safety.