3. Climates of India

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Chapter 3: Climates of India 🌏🌧️

Grade 7 • Exploring Society: India & Beyond Theme: India and the World — Land & People
“kāle varṣhatu parjanyaḥ pṛthivī sasyashālinī… May the rains be timely, may the Earth be lush with vegetation.” — Subhāṣhita
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🧠 The Big Questions

  1. What makes India’s climate so diverse?
  2. What are the monsoons and how are they formed?
  3. How does climate affect economy, culture and society?
  4. How can understanding climate help us prepare for natural disasters?
  5. What is climate change and what are its consequences?

🌤️ Weather, Seasons & Climate — What’s the Difference?

  • Weather: the condition of the atmosphere day-to-day (rainy, sunny, windy, hot, humid…). It changes often.
  • Seasons: parts of the year that recur in a cycle (spring, summer, monsoon/rainy, autumn, pre-winter, winter). Weather varies with seasons.
  • Climate: the long-term pattern of weather in a region (over decades).
Traditional six ṛitus (seasons): Vasanta (Spring) Grīṣhma (Summer) Varṣhā (Rainy) Śharad (Autumn) Hemanta (Pre-winter) Śhiśhira (Winter)
Festivals, foods, clothes and even animal/plant behaviours follow these rhythms.
Let’s Explore: Your favourite season & why? Note local events or foods tied to seasons. Which trees in your area change colour or shed leaves before winter?
✅ Quick Recap
  • Weather → daily; Seasons → yearly cycle; Climate → decades-long patterns.
  • We will study India’s main climate types next.

🗺️ Types of Climates in India

  • Alpine (High Himalaya): very cold, snowy winters; cool summers (thick clothing, glaciers).
  • Temperate (Lower Himalaya & many hill areas): moderate winters, mild summers; famous hill stations.
  • Subtropical (Northern Plains): very hot summers, cold winters; major wheat-growing belt.
  • Arid (Thar Desert): scorching days, cool nights, scanty rainfall; strong water conservation traditions.
  • Tropical Wet (Western coastal strip): heavy monsoon rain; rice & spices thrive.
  • Semi-arid (Central Deccan Plateau): hot summers, mild winters; moderate monsoon rain.
  • Tropical (East & Southern Peninsula): mild winter; distinct wet/dry periods controlled by monsoon winds.
Note: “Tropical” and “Subtropical” relate to special parallels of latitude (the Tropics). You’ll study them in detail later.

⚙️ Factors that Determine Climate

a) Latitude

  • Near the Equator → sun’s rays strike more directly → hotter.
  • Towards the poles → rays slant over a wider area and pass through more atmosphere → colder.
  • In India: Kanniyakumari & Nicobar stay warm most of the year; Srinagar is much cooler.

b) Altitude

  • As altitude increases, air pressure & density decrease and the air is cooler.
  • Sun heats the Earth’s surface; higher up is farther from this heat source.
  • Hence, high Himalayan peaks remain below freezing and snow-covered.
Think: Ooty and Coimbatore lie at similar latitudes. Yet Ooty’s summer is ~10–25°C while Coimbatore’s ~25–38°C. Why? (Altitude!)

c) Proximity to the Sea

  • Sea moderates temperature: summers cooler, winters milder in coastal areas.
  • Mumbai (coastal) ~32°C summer / ~18°C winter vs Nagpur (inland) up to ~44°C summer / ~10°C winter.
  • Temperature range is small by the sea, large inland.

d) Winds

  • Winds carry heat and moisture (or dryness). From deserts → dry/hot; from seas → moist → rainfall possible.
  • Summer hot winds may cause heat waves; winter winds from north can trigger cold waves.

e) Topography

  • Himalaya & Karakoram shield India from very cold Central Asian winds.
  • Thar Desert is exposed to hot, dry winds due to flat relief.
  • Western Ghats shape monsoon rainfall (windward wet, leeward rain-shadow).
🧩 Putting It Together

Climate = long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation (rain/snow, fog/mist), and winds shaped by all these factors over 30+ years.

🏙️ Microclimates

  • A microclimate is a small area with climate different from its surroundings (its own temp, humidity, rain pattern).
  • Examples: enclosed valleys, forests, and urban heat islands (cities with lots of concrete & little vegetation → trap heat).
  • Microclimates affect local flora, fauna, crops, and human comfort/health.

🌀 The Monsoons — India’s Life-giving Winds & Rains

“Monsoon” (Arabic: mausim = season) describes seasonal wind systems over the Indian Ocean and nearby regions.

How They Form

  • Summer: Land heats faster → strong low pressure over Asia; winds blow from ocean to land carrying moisture → heavy rains (Southwest Monsoon).
  • Winter: Land cools faster → high pressure over land; winds blow from land to ocean → drier conditions (Northeast Monsoon), except where they pick moisture over the Bay of Bengal and bring rain to parts of east & south India.

Across India

  • SW monsoon typically reaches south India in early June, advances northwards to cover most of India by mid-July.
  • Western Ghats block the moist winds: west slopes get heavy rain; Deccan plateau eastwards gets less/rain-shadow and breaks.
  • NE monsoon brings winter rainfall to parts of east & south India (after winds reverse).
Don’t Miss Out: Mawsynram (Meghalaya) has the world’s highest average annual rainfall (~11,000 mm).
Monsoon has inspired ragas in classical music — e.g., Megh Malhār, Amruthavarshini.
Traditional Signals: Konkan fish surfacing, golden shower tree (Cassia fistula) blooming (~50 days to monsoon), crows nesting high/low as rain signs. Collect local monsoon lore!

👩‍🌾 Climate & Our Lives

  • Culture: Seasons shape festivals, foods, clothing, dances and rituals across India (harvest & rain-linked celebrations).
  • Economy: Agriculture depends on timely rain; monsoon failure → crop losses, water scarcity, migration, higher food prices (inflation), industrial slowdowns.
  • Preparedness: Knowing climate patterns helps plan cropping, store water, and manage risks.
Activity: Talk to elders about seasonal festivals, dances, and rain rituals; host a mini cultural fest in class to showcase them.

⚠️ Climates & Disasters

India faces cyclones, floods, landslides and forest fires that disrupt lives, farms, infrastructure and local economies.

a) Cyclones

  • Form over warm seas when low-pressure systems intensify; moist air spirals inward, clouds build, winds strengthen.
  • The calm, cloudless centre is the eye of the cyclone.
  • IMD tracks and warns; the NDRF is trained for rescue and evacuation across India.

b) Floods

  • Water overflows onto normally dry land due to heavy rain, swollen rivers/lakes, or breached banks.
  • Monsoon floods often affect states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam.
  • Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs): Himalayan lakes can burst due to fast glacier melt or intense rain (e.g., Uttarakhand 2013 near Kedarnath → landslides & heavy losses).
  • Urban floods: poor drainage, encroached waterways, and impermeable surfaces (concrete/asphalt) worsen flooding.

c) Landslides

  • Sudden downhill movement of rock/soil/debris triggered by heavy rain, earthquakes or volcanism.
  • Common in hills: Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal, Western Ghats; risk rises with deforestation and unplanned construction.

d) Forest Fires

  • Uncontrolled fires fueled by dry conditions, drought, high winds or human carelessness.
  • Hurt biodiversity, air quality, livelihoods; seen in Uttarakhand, Himachal, MP, Chhattisgarh, Western Ghats.
Group Work: For each disaster, list natural vs human causes. Propose preventive measures (early warnings, proper land use, drainage, afforestation, fire breaks, drills).

🌡️ Climate Change

  • Meaning: Significant, long-term shifts in temperature, rainfall, and weather events (global or regional).
  • Past vs Now: Natural processes once dominated; since the 19th century, human activities (burning fossil fuels, deforestation, harmful industrial practices, wasteful consumption) drive rapid change.
  • Greenhouse effect: CO₂ & other gases trap heat; excessive emissions → extra warming → disrupted climate patterns.
  • India example: Early 2025 saw average temps ~1–3°C above normal, shortening/mildening winter → impacts agriculture & small industries.
Fossil fuels
Ancient plant/animal remains turned into coal, oil, natural gas; burning them releases greenhouse gases.
Mitigation
Cut emissions, plant trees, boost renewables, improve efficiency, promote sustainable lifestyles.
Resilience & Adaptation
Prepare communities to cope & recover quickly; adapt farming, water use, buildings, and disaster response.
Key Terms: Resilience Mitigation Sustainable

📌 Before We Move On — Key Takeaways

  • India’s diverse climate arises from its mountains, plateaus, deserts and coasts.
  • Weather (daily), Seasons (yearly), Climate (decades-long patterns).
  • Major factors: latitude, altitude, sea proximity, winds, topography.
  • Monsoons drive agriculture and livelihoods.
  • Climate links to culture, festivals, economy; knowledge helps manage disasters.
  • Climate change increases extremes; mitigation & resilience are essential.

📝 Questions & Activities (from the Chapter)

1) Match the climatic factors with their effects

Column A (Factor)Column B (Effect)
(1) Latitude(b) Creates different climates in the north and south
(2) Altitude(c) Keeps higher places cooler
(3) Proximity to the ocean(d) Moderates the temperature
(4) Monsoon winds(a) Brings wet air to India during summer

2) Answer the following

  1. Weather vs Climate? (daily conditions vs long-term patterns)
  2. Why milder by the sea? (sea moderates temperature; smaller range)
  3. Role of monsoon winds? (bring seasonal rain; drive wet/dry periods)
  4. Why Chennai warm year-round & Leh cold? (latitude/sea proximity vs high altitude)

3) Map task

On a map of India, identify climate for Leh, Chennai, Delhi, Panaji, Jaipur. Note if near sea/mountains/desert and how that shapes climate.

4) Draw the monsoon cycle (Summer & Winter)

  • Label wind directions in June–July (SW monsoon) and Dec–Jan (NE monsoon).

5) Poster

Create a colourful poster of seasonal/harvest festivals (Baisakhi, Onam, Pongal, Lohri, Chhath, Bihu, Gudi Padwa, Hemis, etc.).

6) Diary entry

As a farmer, write how you prepare for the rainy season (field prep, seeds, storage, drainage, safety).

7) Short essay

Pick a disaster (cyclone/flood/landslide/forest fire). Explain causes & impacts. Suggest actions for individuals, communities, and government to reduce risk.

End of Chapter 3 Notes • Made learner-friendly & mobile-ready 👩‍🎓📱

Chapter 3: Climates of India — Exercises & Answers

Grade 7 • Exploring Society: India & Beyond Fully solved • Mobile-friendly
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📘 1) Textbook Exercises — Questions & Model Answers

Q1. Match the climatic factors with their effects.

Column A (Factor)Column B (Effect)Answer
(1) Latitude(a) Brings wet air to India during summer(1) → (b) Creates different climates in the north and south
(2) Altitude(b) Creates different climates in the north and south(2) → (c) Keeps higher places cooler
(3) Proximity to the ocean(c) Keeps higher places cooler(3) → (d) Moderates the temperature
(4) Monsoon winds(d) Moderates the temperature(4) → (a) Brings wet air to India during summer

Q2. Answer the following:

  1. a) Difference between weather and climate.
    Weather is the day-to-day condition of the atmosphere (hours/days). Climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a region observed over decades.
  2. b) Why do places near the ocean have milder temperatures?
    The sea acts as a temperature moderator: it heats and cools slowly, keeping summers cooler and winters milder; hence a smaller annual temperature range.
  3. c) Role of monsoon winds in India’s climate.
    They are seasonal winds that reverse direction. In summer (SW monsoon) they bring moisture-laden air and heavy rain; in winter (NE monsoon) they bring drier air, though parts of east & south India receive winter rain.
  4. d) Why is Chennai warm most of the year, while Leh is cold?
    Chennai is coastal and tropical (moderated by the sea, low altitude). Leh is at high altitude in a cold desert/alpine setting; thinner air and distance from the sea keep it much colder.

Q3. Identify the climate for these cities — Leh, Chennai, Delhi, Panaji, Jaipur.

  • Leh: Cold desert / alpine; high altitude, very low humidity & severe winters → low temps year-round.
  • Chennai: Tropical coastal; warm–hot all year, smaller temp range; gets winter rain from NE monsoon.
  • Delhi: Subtropical interior; very hot summers, cold winters; affected by loo (hot winds) and winter fog.
  • Panaji (Goa): Tropical wet (west coast); heavy SW monsoon rain; mild winters.
  • Jaipur: Semi-arid at edge of Thar; hot summers, cool winters; low, variable rainfall.

Q4. Draw the monsoon cycle in summers and winters on a map of India.

Summer (SW monsoon): Arrows from Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal → onto Indian landmass (June–July), heavy rain on west coast & Ganga–Brahmaputra basin; rain-shadow east of Western Ghats.
Winter (NE monsoon): Arrows from land (north/northeast) → towards ocean; part crossing Bay of Bengal turns moist and gives rain to Tamil Nadu & parts of east coast (Oct–Dec).

Q5. Poster of festivals linked to farming & weather.

Include Baisakhi (Punjab harvest), Onam (Kerala), Pongal (TN), Lohri, Chhath Puja, Bihu (Assam), Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra), Makar Sankranti, Hemis (Ladakh), Losoong (Sikkim). Add crop icons, monsoon clouds, and regional dress.

Q6. Farmer’s diary — preparing for the rainy season (model).

“June 5: Checked field bunds & drainage channels. Cleaned storage bins and bought seeds suited to SW monsoon. Repaired the pump and arranged compost. Listened to IMD forecast; if heavy rain is likely, I’ll stagger sowing, protect seedlings with mulch, and keep tools & first-aid ready for storms.”

Q7. Essay (example: Cyclone) — causes, impacts & actions.

Causes: Intense low-pressure over warm seas; moist air spirals inward; cloud bands and strong winds form a cyclone with an ‘eye’.
Impacts: Coastal flooding, storm surges, crop loss, power & road damage, displacement of people.
Actions: Individuals—follow alerts, evacuate early, emergency kits. Communities—cyclone shelters, drills, mangrove protection. Government—early warning systems, strict coastal zoning, resilient housing, rapid NDRF deployment, quick relief & insurance.

🔤 2) One-Word Answer Questions (10)

  1. Seasonal wind system over the Indian Ocean: Monsoon
  2. Arabic word from which “monsoon” is derived: Mausim
  3. World’s highest average annual rainfall (India): Mawsynram
  4. Calm centre of a cyclone: Eye
  5. Rescue force for disasters in India: NDRF
  6. Summer rain-bearing winds in India: Southwest monsoon
  7. Winter winds giving TN rainfall: Northeast monsoon
  8. Climate type of the Thar: Arid
  9. Small-area climate differing from surroundings: Microclimate
  10. Latitude increases → temperature generally becomes more: Cold

🧩 3) Fill in the Blanks (10)

  1. Weather is day-to-day atmospheric condition, while ________ is the long-term pattern. climate
  2. India’s traditional six seasons are called ________. ṛitus
  3. At higher ________, temperatures are generally lower. altitudes
  4. Coastal areas have a smaller annual temperature range due to the ________ effect. moderating
  5. The Western Ghats create heavy rain on the windward side and a ________ to the east. rain shadow
  6. Air flows from ________ pressure to ________ pressure areas. high; low
  7. The cold desert region in India is ________. Ladakh
  8. IMD tracks cyclones and issues ________. warnings
  9. Uncontrolled fires in dry forests/grasslands are called ________. forest fires
  10. Excess greenhouse gases cause additional ________ of the planet. warming

✅ 4) True or False (10) — with Explanations

1) Climate is what we experience hour by hour.
False — That’s weather. Climate is the long-term pattern over decades.
2) Places near the sea have a smaller annual temperature range.
True — The sea moderates temperature; summers are cooler and winters are milder.
3) As latitude increases away from the Equator, temperatures generally fall.
True — Sun’s rays strike more obliquely and pass through more atmosphere.
4) Western Ghats make the Deccan plateau wetter than the west coast.
False — West slopes get heavier rain; east is in the rain shadow.
5) In winter, monsoon winds blow from the ocean to the land.
False — Land cools faster → high pressure → winds blow from land to ocean (NE monsoon).
6) Mawsynram records one of the world’s highest average annual rainfalls.
True — ~11,000 mm annually.
7) The eye of a cyclone is the most violent part with thick clouds.
False — The eye is relatively calm and often cloudless; the eyewall is violent.
8) Urban heat islands are usually cooler than nearby rural areas.
False — Built-up areas trap heat and are typically warmer.
9) The SW monsoon covers the entire country smoothly by 1 June every year.
False — It advances in stages, usually covering India by mid-July.
10) Glacial lake outburst floods occur mostly in coastal plains.
False — They occur in mountain regions when glacial lakes burst (e.g., Himalaya).

✍️ 5) Very Short Answers (10) — 2–3 lines each

  1. Define climate.
    The long-term pattern of weather (temperature, precipitation, winds) for a region, understood over 30+ years.
  2. List any three factors that determine climate.
    Latitude, altitude, proximity to the sea; also winds and topography influence it.
  3. Why is Ooty cooler than Coimbatore?
    They share similar latitude, but Ooty’s higher altitude lowers temperature compared to low-lying Coimbatore.
  4. What is a rain shadow?
    A drier area on the leeward side of mountains (e.g., east of Western Ghats) where rainfall is much reduced.
  5. When do SW and NE monsoons occur?
    SW: June–September (summer); NE: October–December (winter) for parts of east & south India.
  6. What is a microclimate? Give one example.
    A localised climate differing from surroundings; e.g., an urban heat island or a sheltered valley.
  7. Why are cyclones dangerous?
    They bring destructive winds, storm surges and flooding, damaging homes, farms and infrastructure.
  8. State two causes of urban flooding.
    Encroached waterways and poor drainage; lots of concrete/asphalt that prevents percolation.
  9. What is the role of NDRF?
    India’s specialised force for disaster response: rescue, evacuation and relief during events like cyclones and floods.
  10. What is climate change?
    Significant, long-term shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns; recently accelerated by human activities.

📝 6) Short Answers (10) — 3–4 lines each

  1. Explain the role of latitude in India’s climatic diversity.
    Sunlight is more direct near the Equator and more oblique towards the poles. Southern peninsular India is warmer most of the year, while northern high latitudes (plus altitude) are cooler.
  2. How does altitude affect temperature? Give examples.
    Higher altitudes have thinner, less dense air and are cooler. Hence, Himalayan peaks stay snowy; hill stations like Shimla and Ooty are much cooler than nearby plains.
  3. Differentiate SW and NE monsoons.
    SW (summer): ocean → land, heavy rain across most of India. NE (winter): land → ocean; mainly dry but gives rain to TN & parts of east coast after crossing Bay of Bengal.
  4. How do monsoons influence agriculture?
    They decide sowing windows, irrigation needs and crop choices. Good monsoons boost yields; failure leads to water stress, lower output and higher prices.
  5. Why do coastal cities have milder climates than inland cities?
    Seas heat/cool slowly and act as a buffer, keeping summers cooler and winters milder; inland areas face higher summer highs and lower winter lows.
  6. Describe the formation and structure of a cyclone.
    An intense low over warm seas draws moist air that spirals inwards; towering clouds and strong winds encircle a calm ‘eye’, producing heavy rain and storm surges.
  7. What are GLOFs? Why do they occur?
    Glacial Lake Outburst Floods happen when moraine/ice dams fail due to rapid melt or heavy rain, suddenly releasing lake water into valleys.
  8. List two natural and two human causes of landslides.
    Natural: heavy rain, earthquakes. Human: deforestation, unplanned slope cutting/building that destabilises hills.
  9. Suggest three cyclone-risk reduction measures.
    Early warning & evacuations, resilient housing & shelters, protect mangroves/coastal dunes; enforce coastal zoning and build-back-better plans.
  10. Define mitigation and resilience in the context of climate change.
    Mitigation: actions to reduce warming (renewables, efficiency, trees). Resilience: ability to withstand/recover (strong infrastructure, preparedness, diversified livelihoods).

End of Exercises • Chapter 3 • Climates of India • Ready to revise & score high! 🌟

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