Question 2 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Geography

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. The winds which blow between 30Â°N and 60Â°S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies.
2. The moist air masses that cause winter rains in the North-Western region of India are part of westerlies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 only

Strategy: Identify the factual error in Statement 1's latitude range, which incorrectly mixes hemispheres. Confirm that Statement 2 accurately links winter rains in Northwest India to the westerlies. Eliminate Statement 1 based on its incorrect latitude specification.

Key Info: **Westerlies**

Westerlies are prevailing winds found in the middle latitudes (30° to 60°) of both hemispheres, flowing from the subtropical high-pressure belts toward the subpolar lows, generally from the west toward the east.

**Western Disturbances in India**

In India, Western Disturbances refer to extratropical storms that originate in the Mediterranean region and travel eastward, guided by these upper-level westerly winds. These disturbances bring non-monsoonal winter rainfall and sometimes snowfall, distinct from summer monsoon patterns.

**Impact and Region**

The rainfall chiefly affects the northwestern states and supports rabi crop cultivation, including wheat.

- Punjab
- Haryana
- Rajasthan
- Delhi
- Western Uttar Pradesh

**Statement Analysis**

The first statement is incorrect because it misstates the latitude range as 30°N to 60°S. The westerlies exist in separate belts within each hemisphere (30° to 60°). The second statement is correct, as it accurately identifies the role of westerlies in transporting moist air masses that cause winter rains in Northwest India via Western Disturbances.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2

Consider the following statements: The winds which blow between 30Â°N and 60Â°S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies. The moist air masses that cause winter rains in the North-Western region of India are part of westerlies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements:

The winds which blow between 30Â°N and 60Â°S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies.

The moist air masses that cause winter rains in the North-Western region of India are part of westerlies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?