Question

Why does India receive lower rainfall in an El Nino year compared to a normal year?

• A. The high pressure area near Madagascar does not fully develop.
• B. Weakened pressure differences that push the winds to low pressure areas.
• C. Heightened pressure differences that push the winds to high pressure areas.
• D. Lower pressure differences weakens monsoon winds.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (D)

Lower pressure differences weakens monsoon winds.

During the El Nino phase, the high pressure area near Madagascar does not fully develop meaning the pressure there is comparatively lower than it would be in a usual, non-El Nino year. This weakens the pressure difference that pushes winds to the low pressure areas, consequently weakening the monsoon winds. That is why the Indian Subcontinent receives lower rainfall in an El-Nino year compared to a normal year.