Chapter-Climates of India Social Science class 6 in english Medium CBSE Notes

Chapter 3. Climates of India

India has a great diversity of climates because of its varied geography, latitude, altitude, distance from the sea, winds and topography. This chapter explains weather, seasons, climate, the Indian monsoon, climatic factors, the relationship between climate and human life, climate-related disasters and climate change.

Chapter Review

Introduction (परिचय)

• Weather is the condition of the atmosphere that we experience from hour to hour or day to day.
• Weather changes frequently and may be rainy, sunny, windy, hot or dry.
• Climate is the long-term pattern of weather experienced by a region over several decades.
• Climate varies from one region to another.
• Seasons occur as the Earth revolves around the Sun.
• Each season lasts for a few months and returns every year.
• Spring, summer, autumn and winter are the four main seasons found across most regions of the world.
• India also has a distinct rainy season called the monsoon.
• Traditionally, many parts of India recognise six seasons or ṛitus.
• The six traditional seasons are Vasanta, Grīṣhma, Varṣhā, Śharad, Hemanta and Śhishir.
• Indian festivals, rituals, food and agricultural activities are closely connected with seasons.
• Human, plant and animal life changes according to seasonal conditions.
• India has a great diversity of climates because of its varied geographical features.
• The Himalayas have an alpine climate with cold, snowy winters and cool summers.
• Many lower Himalayan and hilly areas have a temperate climate.
• The northern plains have a subtropical climate with very hot summers and cold winters.
• The Thar Desert has an arid climate with extremely hot days, cool nights and very little rainfall.
• The western coastal region has a tropical wet climate with heavy monsoon rainfall.
• The central Deccan Plateau has a semi-arid climate with hot summers, mild winters and moderate rainfall.
• Eastern India and the southern peninsula generally experience a tropical climate.
• Latitude affects temperature and climate.
• Places near the Equator are generally warmer than places near the poles.
• Altitude also affects temperature.
• Temperature generally decreases as altitude increases.
• Hill stations are cooler than the plains mainly because of their higher altitude.
• Proximity to the sea moderates temperature.
• Coastal areas generally have cooler summers and milder winters.
• Places far from the sea usually experience more extreme temperatures.
• Winds transport warm, cold, dry or moist air from one region to another.
• Winds can affect temperature, humidity and precipitation.
• Topography, including mountains, hills, valleys, slopes and coasts, influences climate.
• The Himalayas and Karakoram help protect the Indian subcontinent from cold winds from Central Asia.
• The Thar Desert is exposed to hot and dry winds because of its relatively flat topography.
• The climate of a region is determined by the combined effect of several factors.
• Climate includes long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation and wind conditions.
• A microclimate is the climate of a small area that differs from the surrounding region.
• Forests, enclosed valleys and cities may have their own microclimates.
• Urban heat islands are areas of cities that become warmer because buildings and concrete structures trap heat.
• The monsoon is a seasonal wind system over a large area of the Indian Ocean and surrounding regions.
• The word monsoon comes from the Arabic word mausim, meaning season.
• Monsoon winds are closely connected with differences in temperature and air pressure between land and ocean.
• Land heats up and cools down faster than the ocean.
• During summer, the Asian landmass becomes hot and develops a low-pressure system.
• Moist winds blow from the relatively cooler, high-pressure ocean towards the hot land.
• These winds bring moisture and produce heavy monsoon rainfall.
• The southwest monsoon generally begins from the southern tip of India in early June.
• The southwest monsoon moves northward and usually covers the entire subcontinent by mid-July.
• The Western Ghats act as a natural barrier to the southwest monsoon winds.
• The western slopes of the Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall.
• The Deccan Plateau to the east of the Western Ghats receives less rainfall.
• During winter, land cools faster than the ocean.
• In winter, winds generally reverse their direction and blow from land towards the ocean.
• The northeast monsoon brings rainfall to parts of eastern and southern India after passing over the Bay of Bengal.
• Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world.
• Traditional knowledge has helped Indian communities predict seasonal and monsoon changes.
• Climate influences agriculture, food, clothing, festivals, culture and daily life.
• Climate has a direct impact on India's economy.
• Monsoon failure can lead to poor agricultural production.
• Poor rainfall can cause water shortages and migration of agricultural labourers.
• Climate conditions can affect food prices and contribute to inflation.
• Industrial activity also depends on predictable weather and availability of water.
• Extreme climatic conditions can cause cyclones, floods, landslides and forest fires.
• Cyclones are particularly common along India's coastline, especially the eastern coast.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) monitors cyclones and provides information about them.
• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is specially trained to respond to natural and human-made disasters.
• A cyclone develops around an intense low-pressure system with strong winds and moisture.
• The cloudless centre of a cyclone is called the eye.
• A flood occurs when water overflows onto normally dry land.
• Floods commonly occur during the monsoon due to heavy rainfall and excessive runoff.
• Glacial lake outbursts can cause devastating floods in Himalayan regions.
• Urban flooding can be worsened by poor drainage and construction over natural waterways.
• A landslide is the sudden collapse or movement of rock, soil or debris.
• Landslides are common in hilly and mountainous areas, especially during the monsoon.
• Deforestation and poorly planned construction can increase the risk of landslides.
• Forest fires are uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly through vegetation.
• Dry conditions, drought, high winds and human carelessness can cause forest fires.
• Forest fires damage forests, wildlife, ecosystems, air quality and local communities.
• Climate change means significant long-term changes in climate.
• Climate change may involve changes in temperature, precipitation and weather events.
• Natural processes caused climate changes in the distant past.
• Since the 19th century, human activities have become a major driver of climate change.
• Burning fossil fuels is a major cause of present-day climate change.
• Deforestation and harmful industrial practices also contribute to climate change.
• Excessive and wasteful consumption contributes to environmental problems.
• Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
• The natural greenhouse effect keeps Earth warm enough to support life.
• An excessive increase in greenhouse gases causes additional warming and disrupts climate patterns.
• Climate change can affect agriculture, industries, ecosystems, animals and human societies.
• Understanding climate change and disasters helps communities prepare and build resilience.
• Climate mitigation includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, planting trees and increasing renewable energy.
• Improving energy efficiency and adopting sustainable lifestyles can help address climate change.

Important Definitions

Term	Definition
Weather	The atmospheric condition experienced at a particular place over a short period of time.
Climate	The long-term pattern of weather experienced by a region over several decades.
Season	A period of the year with characteristic weather conditions that recurs every year.
Monsoon	A seasonal wind system that changes direction according to the seasons and strongly influences rainfall.
Latitude	The distance of a place north or south of the Equator.
Altitude	The height of a place above sea level.
Topography	The physical surface features of an area, such as mountains, hills, valleys, slopes and coasts.
Microclimate	The climate of a small area that differs from the climate of the surrounding region.
Urban Heat Island	An urban area that is warmer than its surroundings because buildings and concrete structures trap heat.
Precipitation	Water that falls from the atmosphere in forms such as rain, snow or hail.
Cyclone	An intense low-pressure system with strong rotating winds, clouds and rainfall.
Eye of a Cyclone	The relatively cloudless centre of a cyclone.
Flood	A situation in which water overflows onto normally dry land.
Glacial Burst	The sudden release of water from a glacial lake when the barrier holding it breaks.
Landslide	The sudden collapse or movement of rock, soil or debris down a slope.
Forest Fire	An uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly across forest or other vegetation.
Climate Change	Significant long-term changes in climate, including changes in temperature, precipitation and weather events.
Fossil Fuels	Energy sources formed from the remains of plants and animals buried for millions of years, such as coal, petroleum and natural gas.
Greenhouse Effect	The natural process in which gases in the atmosphere trap heat and keep Earth warm enough for life.
Greenhouse Gases	Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect.
Resilience	The capacity to withstand difficulties or recover quickly from them.
Mitigation	Steps taken to slow global warming and reduce the causes of climate change.
Sustainable	Something that can be maintained over a long period of time without exhausting resources.

Important Terms

• Weather
• Climate
• Seasons
• ṛitus
• Alpine Climate
• Temperate Climate
• Subtropical Climate
• Arid Climate
• Tropical Wet Climate
• Semi-arid Climate
• Tropical Climate
• Latitude
• Altitude
• Proximity to the Sea
• Winds
• Topography
• Microclimate
• Urban Heat Island
• Monsoon
• Southwest Monsoon
• Northeast Monsoon
• Low Pressure
• High Pressure
• Humidity
• Precipitation
• Cyclone
• Eye of Cyclone
• Flood
• Glacial Burst
• Landslide
• Forest Fire
• Climate Change
• Fossil Fuels
• Greenhouse Effect
• Global Warming
• Resilience
• Climate Mitigation
• Sustainable Lifestyle

Types of Climate in India

Region	Climate	Main Features
Himalayas	Alpine	Cold, snowy winters and cool summers.
Lower Himalayas and many hill areas	Temperate	Moderately cold winters and relatively mild summers.
Northern Plains	Subtropical	Very hot summers and cold winters.
Thar Desert	Arid	Extremely hot days, cool nights and very little rainfall.
Western Coastal Strip	Tropical Wet	Heavy monsoon rainfall.
Central Deccan Plateau	Semi-arid	Hot summers, mild winters and moderate rainfall.
Eastern India and Southern Peninsula	Tropical	Mild winters and distinct wet and dry periods.

Factors Determining Climate

• Latitude – Places near the Equator are generally warmer, while places near the poles are colder.
• Altitude – Temperature generally decreases as altitude increases.
• Proximity to the Sea – The sea moderates temperature in coastal areas.
• Winds – Winds transport warm, cold, dry or moist air and affect rainfall.
• Topography – Mountains, hills, valleys, slopes and other physical features influence climate.

Southwest and Northeast Monsoon

Southwest Monsoon	Northeast Monsoon
Occurs mainly during summer.	Occurs mainly during winter.
Winds generally blow from the ocean towards the land.	Winds generally blow from the land towards the ocean.
Brings large amounts of moisture.	Generally brings dry conditions to much of India.
Responsible for most of India's monsoon rainfall.	Brings rainfall to parts of eastern and southern India after passing over the Bay of Bengal.

Climate and Our Lives

• Climate influences agriculture and crop cycles.
• Climate affects the food people eat.
• Clothing patterns vary according to climate and seasons.
• Many Indian festivals are connected with seasons and agricultural activities.
• Climate influences local customs, traditions, songs and dances.
• Monsoon rainfall is crucial for agriculture.
• Monsoon failure can lead to poor agricultural production.
• Water shortages may force people to travel long distances to obtain water.
• Agricultural workers may migrate to cities when agricultural activity suffers.
• Poor rainfall can increase the prices of food items.
• Industrial activity also depends on predictable weather and water availability.

Climate-Related Disasters

Disaster	Main Cause / Feature
Cyclone	Intense low-pressure system with strong winds, clouds and heavy rainfall.
Flood	Overflow of water onto normally dry land, often due to heavy rainfall or overflowing rivers and lakes.
Glacial Burst	Sudden release of water from a glacial lake due to failure of the natural barrier.
Landslide	Sudden movement or collapse of rock, soil or debris, often triggered by heavy rain or earthquakes.
Forest Fire	Uncontrolled fire spreading rapidly through vegetation, often during dry conditions.

Climate Change

• Climate change refers to significant long-term changes in climate.
• It can affect temperature, precipitation and weather events.
• Climate changed naturally in the distant past.
• Since the 19th century, human activities have become a major cause of climate change.
• Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of greenhouse gases.
• Deforestation also contributes to climate change.
• Harmful industrial practices contribute to environmental changes.
• Excessive and wasteful consumption adds to the problem.
• Extra greenhouse gases trap additional heat in the atmosphere.
• This leads to rapid global warming and disruption of climate patterns.
• Climate change can affect agriculture, industries, plants, animals and human societies.
• Governments and communities need to build resilience and adopt environment-friendly practices.
• Climate mitigation includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Planting trees, increasing renewable energy and improving energy efficiency can help.
• Sustainable lifestyles can help reduce pressure on the environment.

Important Organisations

• India Meteorological Department (IMD) – Tracks cyclones and provides information about their formation, development and landfall.
• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) – Specially trained to respond to natural and human-made disasters and assist in rescue and evacuation.

Important Examples and Places

• Mawsynram, Meghalaya – Receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world.
• Ooty, Shimla, Darjeeling, Munnar – Examples of hill stations with cooler climates due to higher altitude.
• Mumbai and Nagpur – Examples showing the moderating influence of the sea on temperature.
• Thar Desert – Example of an arid climate.
• Western Ghats – Important barrier affecting southwest monsoon rainfall.
• Himalayas and Karakoram – Help protect India from cold winds from Central Asia.
• Uttarakhand – Experienced a devastating glacial burst and floods in 2013.

Traditional Knowledge and Climate

• Indian communities have traditionally observed natural signs to predict changes in weather and monsoon.
• Fishermen on the Konkan coast observe fish appearing near the surface as a sign of the monsoon's arrival.
• In parts of southern India, the flowering of the Golden Shower tree is traditionally associated with the arrival of the monsoon.
• Some communities observe the height of crow nests as an indication of expected rainfall.
• Such traditional knowledge is an important part of India's heritage.

5-Minute Revision (Quick Revision)

• ✔ Weather = short-term atmospheric condition.
• ✔ Climate = long-term pattern of weather.
• ✔ Seasons recur every year.
• ✔ India traditionally recognises six ṛitus in many regions.
• ✔ India's climate varies greatly from region to region.
• ✔ Five major factors affecting climate = latitude, altitude, proximity to sea, winds and topography.
• ✔ Higher altitude generally means lower temperature.
• ✔ Coastal areas have more moderate temperatures.
• ✔ Mountains can act as barriers to winds.
• ✔ Monsoon means seasonal winds.
• ✔ Summer monsoon winds generally move from ocean to land.
• ✔ Winter monsoon winds generally move from land to ocean.
• ✔ Southwest monsoon provides most of India's monsoon rainfall.
• ✔ Northeast monsoon provides rainfall to parts of eastern and southern India.
• ✔ Mawsynram receives the world's highest average annual rainfall.
• ✔ Climate influences agriculture, culture, festivals and economy.
• ✔ Cyclones, floods, landslides and forest fires are major climate-related disasters.
• ✔ IMD monitors cyclones and provides warnings and information.
• ✔ NDRF helps in rescue and evacuation during disasters.
• ✔ Climate change involves long-term changes in temperature, precipitation and weather events.
• ✔ Fossil fuel burning is a major human cause of climate change.
• ✔ Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
• ✔ Mitigation means reducing the causes of climate change.
• ✔ Resilience means the ability to withstand or recover from difficulties.
• ✔ Sustainable practices help protect the environment for the future.

Exam Booster

• Learn the difference between weather, season and climate.
• Remember the six traditional Indian ṛitus and their names.
• Learn the major types of climate found in different regions of India.
• Understand the five major factors determining climate.
• Remember why latitude affects temperature.
• Understand why temperature decreases with increasing altitude.
• Understand the moderating effect of the sea on coastal temperatures.
• Learn how winds influence temperature, humidity and rainfall.
• Understand how topography influences climate.
• Learn the complete mechanism of the Indian monsoon.
• Differentiate between southwest and northeast monsoons.
• Remember the importance of the Western Ghats in monsoon rainfall.
• Remember Mawsynram as the place receiving the highest average annual rainfall.
• Understand the relationship between climate, agriculture, culture and economy.
• Learn the causes, effects and basic formation of cyclones.
• Remember the meaning of the eye of a cyclone.
• Learn the causes and effects of floods, glacial bursts, landslides and forest fires.
• Remember the role of IMD and NDRF in disaster management.
• Understand the causes of climate change.
• Learn the role of fossil fuels and greenhouse gases in global warming.
• Remember the meaning of resilience, mitigation and sustainable.
• Map-based questions on Leh, Chennai, Delhi, Panaji and Jaipur are important.

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