Western Cyclonic Disturbances

Western cyclonic disturbances or extra tropical cyclones are weather phenomena which play a very vital role in influencing the Indian climate, since they provide much needed precipitation in the winter. Western cyclonic disturbances basically originate in the Mediterranean region and then move towards India by impacting the areas in between.

Western Cyclonic Disturbances

Western cyclonic disturbances are low pressure systems which originate from the Mediterranean Sea region, After originating, it migrate towards the Indian subcontinent under the influence of westerly jet streams, causing disruption in the form of cyclones, particularly in the north western states of the subcontinent, namely Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Cloud cover and heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are a direct consequence of these western disturbances. These extratropical storms enter the Indian territory with the moisture brought all along from their origin from the Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. This rainfall is not only very crucial for the desert parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, which get much needed respite from their dry and arid conditions, but also for the states of Punjab and Haryana, since it helps to replenish the moisture content of the soil and facilitate good cropping patterns. Furthermore, the cloud cover as a result of these disturbances, helps to lower the temperatures throughout the summer thus benefiting the people employed in the agricultural sector.

Features of Western Cyclonic Disturbances

1. Western Cyclonic Disturbances are low- pressure systems, implying that the center areas have lower pressure than their sides. Winds blowing towards these systems lead to condensation of the water vapors, leading to cloud formation and precipitation.
2. These disturbances bring non- monsoonal rainfall in India. It means that these cyclonic disturbances are attributed to rainfall in India in months other than those from June to September.
3. They are attributed to cold waves and dense fog in the Indo- Gangetic plains. These conditions do not usually subside until another western disturbance follows.
4. Western Cyclonic Disturbances do not only impact the Indian climate. They are believed to be in full force in parts of northern Pakistan, where floods occur frequently during the winter months.

Impact of Western Cyclonic Disturbances on Indian Climate

Western Cyclonic Disturbances have a very significant impact on the Indian climate, especially during the winter months. Lower temperatures, cloud covers and heavy downpours are the direct consequences of these extratropical storms. These conditions have both positive and negative impact on the people living in the affected areas. While heavy rains and lower temperatures provide relief to the dry and arid regions, facilitate good agricultural produce and also help regulate groundwater levels in certain areas.

However, in other areas, heavy rains and winds can cause floods and harm the crops thus affecting the agricultural produce negatively and disrupting the lives of the people in those areas. The Delhi dust storms of 2018, flash floods in Uttarakhand in 2021 are some of the prominent examples of western cyclones uprooting all normalcy from the lives of people in those regions. Furthermore, a decrease in the temperatures brought along by these cyclones leads to cold snaps, putting the elderly and the ill in vulnerable positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do you mean by western cyclonic disturbances?

Ans: Western cyclonic disturbances are low- pressure systems which originate from the Mediterranean Sea region and migrate towards the Indian subcontinent under the influence of westerly jet streams, causing disruption in the form of cyclones, particularly in the north western states of the subcontinent, namely Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

2. Describe the significance of western cyclones in context of Indian climate.

Ans: Western Cyclonic Disturbances have a very significant impact on the Indian climate, especially during the winter months. These subtropical storms bring with them heavy rainfalls and dense clouds. Heavy rains and lower temperatures provide relief to the dry and arid regions, facilitate good agricultural produce and also help regulate groundwater levels in certain areas.

3. How do western cyclones affect the Indo- Gangetic plains?

Ans. Western cyclonic disturbances bring cold waves and dense fog in the Indo- Gangetic plains. These cold weather conditions do not usually subside until another western disturbance follows in those regions.