UPSC Prelims 2009 Q38: Geography – Atmosphere & Climatology
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Checking two claims about desert and rainfall patterns
These statements examine global desert formation and a specific Indian rainfall pattern.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Tropical deserts occur along western margins of continents within the trade wind belt | Correct | Classic tropical deserts (like the Sahara, Atacama, Namib) are indeed located along western continental margins, within the trade wind belt, often reinforced by cold ocean currents |
| 2. East Himalayan region gets high rainfall from north-east winds | Incorrect | The East Himalayan region actually receives its heavy rainfall mainly from south-west monsoon winds (moisture from the Bay of Bengal), not north-east winds |
Correcting the rainfall claim:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tropical desert location | Western continental margins, trade wind belt — accurate |
| East Himalayan rainfall | From south-west monsoon winds, NOT north-east winds |
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The tropical desert location pattern (statement 1) is accurate; the East Himalayan rainfall source (statement 2) is misattributed to the wrong wind direction.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2's north-east wind claim is false, so '2 only' is wrong.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is inaccurate, so 'both' cannot be correct.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is accurate, so 'neither' is wrong.
Key point
Tropical deserts do form along western continental margins within the trade wind belt (statement 1, correct) — but the East Himalayan region's heavy rainfall actually comes from SOUTH-WEST monsoon winds, not north-east winds as statement 2 claims.
Remember
Tropical deserts form along western continental margins in the trade wind belt — but East Himalayan rainfall comes from SOUTH-WEST monsoon winds, not north-east winds.
Common mistakes
- Attributing the East Himalayan region's heavy rainfall to the wrong wind direction (north-east instead of south-west monsoon).
- Not knowing the classic desert-formation pattern along western continental margins.
- Confusing monsoon wind directions across different Indian regions.
Exam tip
East Himalayan heavy rainfall = south-west monsoon winds (Bay of Bengal moisture), NOT north-east winds. A key monsoon-geography distinction.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Geography — Fundamentals of Physical Geography — World Climate and Climate Change
- NCERT Class XI Geography — India: Physical Environment — Climate