Geography

Table of Contents
Indian Ocean Dipole............................................................................................... 1
Julian Madden Oscillation....................................................................................... 2
ENSO(El Nino and Southern Oscillation)................................................................3
La Nina.................................................................................................................. 4

Indian Ocean Dipole

Indian Ocean Dipole is a geographical phenomenon. It has 2 poles. Positive IOD
is characterized by warmer waters in Western Pole, which comprises Arabian
Sea, western tropical Indian Ocean(near Africa) and cooler waters in Eastern
Pole, i.e. Bay of Bengal, Eastern equatorial Indian Ocean(near Indonesia).
Negative IOD is characterized by reversal of temperatures in the 2 poles.
Positive IOD leads to more rainfall in central India and Negative IOD causes less
rainfall. The reason is that Positive IOD forms a heat barrier and makes all the SW
monsoon flow towards India. On the other hand, Negative IOD also forms a
barrier but it obstructs the flow of monsoon towards India. IOD also affects
climate of Australia, Indonesia and other regions. Positive IOD causes drought in
Indonesia and Australia.

Duration
IOD has a short cycle and occurs only from May to pull out of monsoon (i.e.
October). El Nino is a longer phenomenon sometimes occurring as long as 2
successive years.
Positive IOD can reduce the effect of El nino by increasing the amount of rainfall.

SW Monsoon enhancers
Positive IOD, La Nina

SW Monsoon Reducers
Negative IOD, El Nino
2015- El Nino and Negative/ Neutral IOD caused weaker monsoon.
2016- La Nina is expected. So, Surplus rainfall is predicted.

Julian Madden Oscillation

ENSO(El Nino and Southern Oscillation)

La Nina