Geography • Physical GeographyMedium
Which of the following climatic factors is primarily responsible for the sudden onset of the Southwest Monsoon (Edavappathy) over the coast of Kerala around early June?
A. Intense continental low-pressure trough over north-west India drawing the Arabian Sea branch✓ Correct Answer
B. Sudden reversal of trade winds due to the movement of the ITCZ to the southern hemisphere
C. Cooling of the Tibetan Plateau creating high-pressure sinking air over the peninsula
D. Development of offshore vortex cyclones in the Bay of Bengal
💡 Solution & Explanation
The sudden onset of the Southwest Monsoon over Kerala is driven by the intense continental low-pressure trough that develops across northwest India during summer, creating a powerful pressure gradient that draws the moisture-laden Arabian Sea branch northward. The reversal of trade winds is a broader seasonal phenomenon, and the Tibetan Plateau acts as a high-level heat source rather than a cooling mechanism during the peak summer months. This localized thermal contrast is critical for setting off the monsoon rains along the western coast.
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