Climate — Geography of the State

Q.1

WBCS Prelims 2017

Drought is occasionally experienced in the plateau region of West Bengal because of

A. Lateritic Soil

B. Extremely low rainfall

C. Excessive evapo-transpiration

D. Inefficient water management

Explanation

Why Correct: Excessive evapo-transpiration in the plateau region of West Bengal, driven by high temperatures and strong winds, causes water loss from soil and plants to exceed precipitation, leading to occasional drought despite moderate rainfall.
Distractor Analysis: Lateritic soil is porous and well-drained but not the primary cause of drought. Extremely low rainfall is not typical for the region, which receives moderate monsoon rainfall. Inefficient water management exacerbates drought impacts but is not the natural climatic cause.
Takeaway: The plateau region of West Bengal includes districts like Purulia, Bankura, and parts of West Midnapore, which are prone to drought due to their rain-shadow location and high evapo-transpiration rates.

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Q.2

WBCS Prelims 2017

The Summer monsoon normally arrives in the South Bengal during

A. 1 – 5 June

B. 5 – 10 June

C. 10 – 15 June

D. 15 – 20 June

Explanation

Why Correct: The southwest monsoon typically reaches South Bengal, including Kolkata and the coastal districts, between June 10–15 each year, following its onset over Kerala around June 1 and progression northeastward.
Distractor Analysis: June 1–5 marks the monsoon onset over Kerala, not South Bengal. June 5–10 corresponds to its arrival in parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra. June 15–20 is when it advances into North Bengal and Assam.
Takeaway: The monsoon advances from the Andaman Sea around May 20, hits Kerala by June 1, reaches Mumbai by June 10, and covers entire Bengal by mid-June, with North Bengal receiving it slightly later due to the Himalayan barrier.

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Q.3

WBCS Prelims 2016

Which of the following types of climate does West Bengal experience?

A. Tropical Monsoon

B. Semi-arid

C. Humid

D. Sub-tropical dry

Explanation

Why Correct: West Bengal's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon (Köppen Aw/Am) with distinct wet (June-September) and dry seasons, influenced by southwest monsoons.
Distractor Analysis: Semi-arid climates (BSh/BWh) occur in regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat with low rainfall. Humid is a general descriptor, not a formal Köppen classification. Sub-tropical dry (Cwa) climates are found in parts of Punjab and Haryana with winter rainfall.
Takeaway: The Köppen climate classification for most of India's Gangetic plains and eastern coast is Tropical Monsoon, while the Thar Desert is Hot Desert (BWh) and the Himalayas have Highland (H) climate.

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Q.4

WBCS Prelims 2015

West Bengal gets most of its rainfall from

A. South West Monsoon

B. Bay of Bengal branch of Indian Monsoon

C. Northeast Monsoon

D. Arabian Sea branch of Indian Monsoon

Explanation

Why Correct: The Bay of Bengal branch of the Indian monsoon carries moisture from the Bay of Bengal, hits the Eastern Himalayas, and causes heavy rainfall in West Bengal, especially in the northern districts and the Gangetic plains.
Distractor Analysis: South West Monsoon is the overall seasonal wind system but not the specific branch. Northeast Monsoon brings winter rainfall to Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh, not West Bengal. Arabian Sea branch affects western and central India, not eastern states.
Takeaway: The Arabian Sea branch splits into three streams after crossing the Western Ghats, while the Bay of Bengal branch splits into two streams after hitting the Eastern Himalayas.

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Q.5

WBCS Prelims 2013

In April thunder squalls are very frequent in –

A. Assam

B. West Bengal

C. Bihar

D. Rajasthan

Explanation

Why Correct: West Bengal experiences frequent thunder squalls in April due to Kalbaishakhi or Nor'westers – severe thunderstorms that form over the Bay of Bengal and move northwestward, bringing heavy rain, hail, and strong winds.
Distractor Analysis: Assam receives heavy monsoon rainfall but not specifically April thunder squalls. Bihar experiences some thunderstorms but less frequently than West Bengal. Rajasthan has a dry climate with minimal thunderstorm activity in April.
Takeaway: Kalbaishakhi storms are most intense in West Bengal and Bangladesh, typically occurring from March to May, with peak frequency in April–May.

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Q.6

WBCS Prelims 2011

Rainfall in West Bengal occurs due to summer monsoon by

A. Arabian sea current

B. Bay of Bengal current

C. Retreating monsoon

D. Western Disturbances

Explanation

Why Correct: The Bay of Bengal branch of the southwest monsoon brings heavy rainfall to West Bengal, especially the Gangetic plains and Himalayan foothills, during June–September.
Distractor Analysis: The Arabian Sea branch primarily affects the western coast and central India. Retreating monsoon (northeast monsoon) brings rainfall to Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh in October–November. Western Disturbances originate over the Mediterranean Sea and bring winter rainfall to northwest India.
Takeaway: The southwest monsoon splits into two branches at the southern tip of India: the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch, which causes orographic rainfall in the Western Ghats and northeastern states respectively.

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Q.7

WBCS Prelims 2011

Cyclones of Bay of Bengal are studied with the help of

A. Topographical Maps

B. Satellite Imageries

C. GIS

D. Oxford Atlas

Explanation

Why Correct: Satellite imagery provides real-time monitoring of cyclone formation, movement, intensity, and cloud patterns over the Bay of Bengal, enabling accurate tracking and forecasting.
Distractor Analysis: Topographical maps show land elevation and terrain features but cannot capture dynamic atmospheric phenomena. GIS integrates spatial data for analysis but relies on satellite inputs for cyclone monitoring. Oxford Atlas is a static reference book containing pre-existing maps without live data capabilities.
Takeaway: The Indian Meteorological Department uses INSAT and other geostationary satellites specifically for cyclone surveillance in the Bay of Bengal, which experiences the world's highest frequency of tropical cyclones.

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