Western Disturbances

News:

• India has experienced an unusually high number of Western Disturbances (WDs) in the last three months.
• There were six WDs in May, three in April, and seven in March according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

What:

• WDs are areas of low-pressure originating in the Mediterranean or Caspian Sea and traveling eastward towards India.
• They are significant for weather patterns and agricultural developments in the region, bringing sudden showers, snow, and fog in northwest India.

Why:

• WDs bring moisture that is crucial for winter and pre-monsoon rainfall.
• They are important for the growth of the Rabi crop in the Northern subcontinent.
• However, the rising frequency and intensity of extreme weather events associated with WDs indicate the need for improved preparedness and management strategies.

Where:

• WDs primarily impact the northern and western parts of India.
• They originate from the Mediterranean or Caspian Sea, and sometimes even from as far as the Atlantic Ocean.

When

• While WDs usually peak in winter, recent trends show increasing activity in summer months, possibly due to human-induced climate change.
• Typically, WDs decrease sharply between June and September.

Who

• Farmers, particularly those growing wheat, mustard, and peas, depend on WDs.

MCQ:

With reference to the Western Disturbances (WDs) in India, consider the following statements:

1. WDs originate in the Mediterranean or Caspian Sea, and their effect is primarily seen in the northern and western parts of India.
2. WDs have been found to be essential for the growth of the Kharif crops in the Northern subcontinent.
3. The rising frequency and intensity of WDs are not associated with any extreme weather events, thus no need for improved preparedness and management strategies.
4. Recent trends show that the activity of WDs has been decreasing in summer months due to human-induced climate change. How many of the above statements are correct?

[A] Only one

[B] Only two

[C] Three

[D] All four

Answer: [B] Only two

Explanation: Statement 1 and Statement 3 are correct. WDs do originate from the Mediterranean or Caspian Sea and their effect is primarily seen in northern and western parts of India. Also, due to the rising frequency and intensity of WDs, there is an urgent need for improved preparedness and management strategies (so statement 3 is incorrect as it states the opposite). Statement 2 is incorrect as WDs are essential for the growth of the Rabi crops, not Kharif. Statement 4 is incorrect as recent trends show increasing, not decreasing activity of WDs in summer months.