Question

It is said that winter monsoons have a dominant easterly component which can subside, diverge and cause drought. What is meant by the easterly component.

Answer 1

In the Indian monsoons, with the onset of monsoon in summers, there is much rain on the western coast due to windward side (rainy side) of the Western Ghats. The Eastern Ghats lie in Leeward side (rain shadow) and do not receive much rainfall. Further the air becomes more dry as it moves towards the Eastern side resulting in even lower rainfall. The Westerly component means, factors causing rain and Easterly component means, factors responsible for low rain.