SSC
The light winter rainfall received in north-western India due to western disturbances is locally called:
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Answer: Option C — Mahawat
Detailed Solution
Mahawat (also spelt Mawat or Mahavat) is the local name for the light winter rainfall received in north-western India, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, during the cold weather season (December to February). It is caused by western disturbances.
What are western disturbances?
Western disturbances are low-pressure weather systems (extra-tropical cyclones) that originate over the Mediterranean Sea region.
They are carried eastward by the westerly jet stream, passing over Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan before reaching north-western India.
On the way, they pick up moisture from the Mediterranean, the Caspian Sea and, sometimes, the Arabian Sea.
Effects of western disturbances in India:
Light to moderate rain in the north-western plains (Mahawat).
Snowfall in the western Himalayas, in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. This snow feeds the rivers in summer.
A drop in temperature, cloudy skies, fog and cold waves after they pass.
Hailstorms can sometimes occur, damaging crops.
Importance of Mahawat:
- Although the amount of rain is small, it is very useful for the rabi crops, especially wheat, barley, gram and mustard, because it comes during their growing period.
- It reduces the need for irrigation and improves soil moisture.
- Too much rain or hail near harvest time, however, can damage the crops.
Winter season weather in India:
- In the cold weather season, most of India is dry, with clear skies and low temperatures, because of the north-east trade winds blowing from land to sea.
- The Tamil Nadu coast receives rain in winter from the north-east monsoon (retreating monsoon), as the winds pick up moisture over the Bay of Bengal.
- North-western India receives rain from western disturbances.
Pre-monsoon local storms (for comparison):
- Mango showers in Kerala and Karnataka.
- Kalbaisakhi (Nor'westers) in West Bengal and Assam.
- Loo: hot, dry winds of the northern plains.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Mango showers are pre-monsoon showers of Kerala and Karnataka in April-May.
- ✗Kalbaisakhi are violent pre-monsoon thunderstorms of eastern India.
- ✗Loo is a hot, dry summer wind that brings no rain.
Quick tip
Remember: Mahawat = winter rain in north-west India from western disturbances (from the Mediterranean), good for wheat and other rabi crops.
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Climate, Soils & Vegetation of India — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Climate, Soils & Vegetation of India, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the climate of India and the monsoon, the seasons and the distribution of rainfall, the major soil types (alluvial, black, red, laterite, arid and mountain soils), and India's natural vegetation, including the types of forests and the states where they are found. Common questions ask which soil is best for cotton (black or regur soil), where laterite soil forms, which place receives the highest rainfall (Mawsynram in Meghalaya), and what 'mango showers' and the 'retreating monsoon' are. Questions on forest types usually link a forest type to its rainfall and to trees such as teak, sal and sundari. Practise the climate, soils and vegetation of India questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.