Climate (unit: 2)

Q What is weather and climate?

Ans: Daily atmospheric condition of an area is called weather. 30 years of average weather
conditions of an area is called climate.
Topic: Monsoon Winds.
Q Explain why the monsoon winds develop? (4)
Ans: During summer low air pressure is developed over Pakistan. While high air pressure
prevails over sea (Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea) so moist (humid/wet) wind
from Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea blow towards land to fulfill the low air pressure. Wind from
Indian Ocean reaches Pakistan after crossing India called primary monsoon. Monsoon winds
from Arabian Sea are called secondary Monsoon which causes less rain. These winds cause
rain from July to September. The amount of rain decreases from northern area to Southern
areas.
Q Explain the importance of the arrival of the monsoon to people who live and work in urban
areas. (4) J 2011
Ans: Benefits: Climate became pleasant provide better living and working conditions. Reduce air
pollution and dust from atmosphere. Provide water for drinking, gardens and live stock.
Problems: May cause flooding, harms property. People cannot reach working place due to
heavy rain so decreases production of country.
Q Three types of rain is experienced in Pakistan monsoon, depression and convection. (I)
explain why rising air is needed to produce rain. (ii) For each of three types explain how rising
air is produced in Pakistan.
Ans: (I) Rising air is needed to produce rain because rising air cools at high altitude and
condensation take place. Clouds are formed and rain occurs.
(ii) Rising air is produced in three ways in Pakistan. Firstly summer monsoon winds rise up
along the northern hills and mountains. Secondly rising air occurs in depression which is low air
pressure cloud system. Air rises due to low air pressure in depressions and clouds forms due to
condensation. Thirdly warm air rises because of convection. Heated land warm-up the air and it
rises up, high altitude causes cooling, condensation take place and clouds are formed. This
causes thunder storm and rainfall.
Q In the Indus plain the summer rainfall is not always reliable. What problems are caused (I) if
the rainfall arrives earlier. (ii) If the rainfall arrives late. (iii) If amount of rain varies considerably
from one year to another? J2002 (6)
Ans: (I) early arrival of monsoon means prolonged rainy season may cause floods. Harvesting
of Rabi crops may be affected. The sowing of Kharif crops may be affected. (ii) Late arrival of
summer rain means less than usual rain will create drought conditions. It will badly affect crops
in barani areas.
(iii) If amount of rain varies then farmer will be unable to plan sowing of crops which depend
upon rain. Irrigation method will be needed in case of low rain and excessive rain can after
sowing may damage young plants.
Topic: Western depression.
Q Explain why western depression causes rainfall during winter. (4) N2000.
Ans: The western areas receive rain in winter from western depression. These depressions are
low air pressure system developed on Mediterranean passes through Turkey, Iran and
Afghanistan and enter Pakistan causes rain in Pakistan from December to March. Since
Pakistan is at tail end brings light rain. The amount of rain decreases from north to south of
Pakistan and From West to East.
Q Name the areas which receive high rain in both summer and winter.
Ans: Murree, Rawilpindi and Jhelum in northern Punjab. Peshawar in K.P.K. Quetta in
Balochistan.
Q Why western depression are more useful for agriculture than monsoon?
Ans: Monsoon rainfall varies in timing, amount and distribution occurs in heavy showers so it is
absorbed in soil and mostly water is drains off. Vapor-transpiration rate is high in summer. While
rain due to western depression occur in light shower absorbed by soil. Evapo-transpiration rate
is low in winter. Western depression is useful for Rabbi Crops. Monsoon is useful if water is
stored in dams and barrages.
Q What are advantages and disadvantages of winter rainfall in northern areas? (6) J2011.
Ans: Advantages: Winter rainfall provides water in rivers and fills reservoirs. Provide water for
irrigation and hydro-electricity production. Water became available for Rabi crops. Winter rain is
in light shower so absorbed in soil. Snowfall increases tourism. Later melting of this snow
provides water in rivers on melting.
Problems: Mostly snow falls in winter, rivers and lakes are frozen, temperature is too cold for
growth of crops and plants may cause floods, land sliding, roads are closed or became slippery.
Farmers are forced to adopt transhumance way of livestock.
Q Why does snowfall instead of rain in winter? (1)
Ans: Low climatic temperature and high altitude of northern mountains and western mountains
are the main reason.
Q Name three climatic hazards which may occur in Pakistan. (3)
Ans: Floods, draughts, dust storms and thunder storms.
Topic: Cyclones.
Q Which name is given to the very violent storms which occasionally hit the coastal areas of
Pakistan?
Ans: Cyclones.
Q Which areas are affected by tropical cyclones? (2)
Ans: Coasts of Sindh and Balochistan.
Q What effect do cyclones may have on the economy and lives of the people who live in the
coastal areas? (5)
Ans: Cyclones are low pressure system with heavy rain and strong winds. Strong winds create
high sea waves which cover large coastal area with sea water. Flooding may cause in several
areas. Crops are destroyed, animals are drowned, communication is disrupted, many human
lives are lost, power cuts off, people have to be evacuated, and industry may close down in
these conditions. Mud houses are destroyed. Lightening can also damage property.
Thunders storms:
Q In which part of the year thunder storm are experienced?
Ans: Thunder storms are experienced in April to June, and in the month of October and
November.
Q Which part of Pakistan experience thunder storm?
Ans: Only northern and north-western part of Pakistan experience thunder storms. I.e.
Rawalpindi and Peshawar.
Q Explain the advantages and disadvantages of thunderstorm.
Ans: Advantages: Supply water, reservoirs are filled with water and increase hydro-electricity
production.
Disadvantages: May cause floods which damage and block roads. High winds damage
buildings and trees. Loss of power supply reduces production, disrupt flights and fishing
activities. Soil erosion caused by rain effects roads and railway lines.
Q What type of rainfall does Murree receives in May-June and Oct-November? How does it
formed? (4)
Ans: Murree receives rain due to convectional rain in these months. The land is heated which
warms up the layers of air close to the surface. Warm air rises up and cools to the surface.
Warm air rises up and cools down at high altitude and condensation take place. Clouds are
formed and rain occurs (take place). Convectional rainfall is accompanied by thunder and
lightning. The rainfall is small in amount. October and November are driest months.
Q Why no convectional rain occurs in lower Indus plain?
Ans: A temperature inversion layer does not allow condensation to take place at the high of
1600 meters as a result warm air descends and no rainfall occurs.
Q How relief rainfall occurs (take place) in hilly areas?
Ans: Moist wind is blocked by mountain so air moves up and cooled down cause’s condensation
and rainfall occurs on wind ward side. On the other side of mountain called leeward no rain
occurs because as wind crosses the mountain its altitude decreases and it warms down.
Leeward side is called rain shadow area.
Q Explain why Peshawar receives a higher annual rainfall than Quetta. (4) N2000.
Ans: Quetta receives rainfall mainly in winter from western depression. Quetta does not get rain
from the summer monsoon winds. Peshawar is a rain fed area and gets western depression rain
in winter and also receives rain from monsoon in summer. Peshawar is located at higher altitude
than Quetta so moist winds easily reach their.
Q Explain why Sialkot has over 250 mm of rain in July and August? (4) J2002
Ans: The summer monsoon blow with full strength in July and August. Monsoon originates from
the Bay of Bengal and enters Pakistan after crossing India. Sialkot is located near foothill of
Sub-Himalayas on the eastern most side so receives good rainfall from monsoon.
Q Why Hyderabad receives less rain than Sialkot in July-August?
Ans: Hyderabad is located in the south of Pakistan and receives secondary monsoon from
Arabian Sea with less moisture. There is no mountain range across monsoon winds to make
wind rise up so condensation cannot take place. While Sialkot is in northern Punjab at foot hill of
Sub-Himalayan range receives primary monsoon. Sialkot receives some rain due to
convectional rain while Hyderabad receives no convectional rain due to temperature inversion
layer.
Q Why Jacobabad is known as thermal pole of the subcontinent?
Ans: In summer maximum temperature reaches 53 C due to continental effect and shortage of
rainfall. Jacobabad is out of range of western depression and monsoon winds are blocked by
Suleiman range and Kirther range. No convectional rain occurs due to temperature inversion
layer.
Topic: Climatic factors.
Q State the main factors which influence climate of Pakistan.
Ans: Following are factors affect climate of Pakistan.
(1) Latitude or distance from the equator which means that as we go northward temperature will
decrease. (2) Distance from sea means places away from the sea are hot in summer and cool in
winter. (3) Altitude or height above sea level means temperature decreases with height.
Mountainous areas are cooler than plain areas. (4) In Pakistan summer monsoon rain and in
winter western depression brings rain.
Q Three types of storm which occur in Pakistan are thunder storms, dust storms and snow
storm. State location of an area where it is most likely to occur.
Ans: (I) Thunder storm usually occurs in northern hilly regions and northern Punjab. (2) Dust
storm common in region adjoining deserts such as lower Punjab, Upper Sindh and parts of
Balochistan. (3) Snowfall is common in northern High Mountain over 6000 meters.
(ii) State time of year when thunder storms, dust storms and snow storm are most likely to
occur.
Ans: (1) Thunder storm occurs in April-June and October-November. (2) Snow storm occurs in
winter season from December to March. (3) Thunder storm occurs due to excess heating and
convection. Air close to land is heated up and become light and rises up. Rising air forms clouds
due to condensation and thunder storm is formed.
Q Explain why dust storms and snow storm take place at time of year in the area you have
mentioned?
Ans: (1) Dust storm which creates due to low air pressure. Strong wind blow surrounding to fill
vacuum and pick up sand and dust with them so dust storm is created. (2) Snow storm develops
in high mountain regions in winter due to low temperature precipitation is in the form of snow, if
accompanied by strong wind snow storm is formed.
Q Describe the characteristics of winter climate in northern areas. (3) J2000
Ans: The northern areas experience low temperature because of height which varies in altitude.
Winter is long and cold with temperature below 5°C depending upon altitude (height). Valley
bottom are comparatively warm. Mountain range is permanently covered with snow. In general
at an altitude of 5000 meters the temperature remains below freezing point throughout the year.
Rain and snow in winter is due to western depression. Rainfall decreases from west to east and
north to south.
Topic: Effects of climate on life and economic activities.
Q In what ways does the winter climate make life difficult for people who live in mountain areas?
Ans: snow covers ground so farming cannot be done, nothing grows so shortage of food and
fodder is created. Water freeze so fishing is difficult, shortage of drinking water is created.
Roads are blocked; power and telephone lines may cutoff. No tourism is practiced because less
income, air service is restricted due to fog. Damage to buildings may cause due to land sliding
and avalanches. Pipes are damaged due to frozen water. Indoor activities are done so heating
of houses are needed.
Q Describe the characteristics of the summer climate of Thar Desert affect the way that area is
used. (3)
Ans: In Thar Desert summer season is very hot and long. June is hottest month. Day time
temperature in above 50° C. Nights are not so hot. Rainfall is below 125mm annually mostly
during monsoon. In south it is little higher 250 mm due to nearness to sea. Desert storms are
common in summer.
Q Explain how summer climate of Thar Desert affect the way that area is used. (3)
Ans: Due to high temperature and low rainfall crop growing is impossible. Livestock rearing like
sheep, goat, camel and cattle rearing is common. Nomadic way of livestock is practiced, people
move in search of water and fodder. Evapo-transpiration is high. In southern part crops like
millet, pulses are cultivated when rainfall is suitable.
Q Describe an account for the main features of the climate experienced along the coastal areas
of Pakistan. (6)
Ans: Coastal areas of Pakistan receives moderate climate due to nearness to the sea. Summer
season is hot but not as interior Sindh. Summer is long and highly humid. Mean June
temperature is 31°C. Rajasthan winds brought hot spells in early summer. Winter is mild, warm
and shot. Occasionally Quetta winds bring short spells of cold season. The western half of the
coastal area receives less rain than 125mm. Most of it falls in winter due to western depression.
Eastern half (Sindh coast) gets more rain than 250 mm which mostly occurs during summer due
to monsoon.
Topic: Floods.
Q Why do many rivers in Pakistan are flooded in July? (3)
Ans: In July the summer monsoon enters Pakistan and causes heavy rainfall which increases
flow of water in rivers. Melting of snow is higher due to rising temperature may cause floods in
rivers.
Q State an advantage of flood.
Ans: Flood water carry alluvial material which is spread over land affected by flood increases
fertility, dams and barrages are filled by water, flood water fills inundation canals, recharge
ground water and flourish fishing industry.
Q How floods can be controlled?
Ans: Dams and barrages can store water. Dykes and embankments along river banks prevent
overflow of water from rivers. Flood monitoring and early warning system are developed.
Diversion canals reduce pressure of floods. River channel can be widened and forestation in
northern areas.
Q How and why economy of an area be affected by flooding?
Ans: Standing crops and orchids are washed away, loss of food supply, farmers are unable to
use land until water is drained away, mud houses are damaged and cattle is swept away,
communication is disrupted, roads and bridges are damaged, telephone and electricity services
are affected. Railway track is damaged. Mud and bricks roads become unusable. People are
evacuated from flood hit areas. Emergency food, shelter and medical aid is needed which is a
Burdon on economy. Funds are needed for rehabilitation and rebuilding. Industries are closed
down, exports are reduced and tax collections decline.
Topic: Droughts.
Q What are causes of drought?
Ans: Lack of monsoon rain, dry and hot winds reduce moisture in soil, deforestation reduce
rainfall. Water is wasted due to mismanagement and unlined canals, overgrazing of land
reduces transpiration and rainfall. Global climate changes have changing climate of Pakistan.
Q What are effects of droughts?
Ans: Tharparkar in Sindh and parts of Balochistan are affected by drought. People and livestock
die due to shortage of water and hunger. Crops are destroyed due to shortage of water. People
migrate to other areas. Lot of funds is needed to set up camps to provide food shelter. In
drought conditions soil dries and blow away by winds so crop cultivation is effected in future,
bring diseases, famine and death.
By Sir Bilal Sarwar from DMC Faisalabad (03228659670)