Question

The Coromandel coast receives rainfall during the winter season from the _______________.
a. Cyclonic depression
b. Retreating Monsoon
c. South – west Monsoon
d. Western disturbance

Answer 1

Hint: From West Bengal in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south, the eastern coastal plains extend and pass through Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. In the eastern coastal plains, the deltas of the Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari and Cauveri rivers are present. For agriculture, the Deltas are very fertile and productive. The delta of the Krishna River is also called the 'South India' Granary.

Complete answer:
Coromandel coast -
- The Coromandel Coast is the Indian subcontinent's southeastern coast zone, bounded to the north by the Utkal Plains, to the east by the Bay of Bengal, to the south by the Kaveri delta, and to the west by the Eastern Ghats, spreading over an area of about 22,800 square kilometres.
- The region derives its name from the Tamil Chola Mandalam ("Land of the Chola"), an ancient dynasty that ruled the region from the mid-9th century CE to 1279. The region derives its name from the Tamil Chola Mandalam ("Land of the Chola,").
- In Tamil Nadu, the Coromandel coast stretches between Pulicat Lake and Kanyakumari. Because of the north-east monsoons, this Indian coastline stays dry in summer and receives rainfall during the winters.

Reasons why Coromandel coast receives rainfall during the winter season –
- The Coromandel Coast, known as the Eastern Ghats, adjoins the states of Tamil Nadu and the southern parts of Andhra Pradesh, some of Kerala and Karnataka's eastern parts.
- The north-east monsoon winds that pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal are blocked by these mountains.
- Therefore, because of the obstruction created by the Eastern Ghats to these winds, the Coromandel coast receives rainfall during the winter season.
- The Coromandel coast receives rainfall from the Retreating Monsoon during the winter season.
- This coast falls on the leeward side during the S.W Monsoon and gets scant rains that are adequate for winter season rains.
- The withdrawing monsoon, also known as the S.E Monsoon, brings rain to the coast of Coromandel, especially Tamil Nadu.

Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note:
Retreating monsoon season - Retreating, in plain words, implies withdrawal. So during the months of October and November, the disappearance of south-western monsoon winds from the skies of northern India is known as the withdrawing monsoon. The withdrawal takes about three months and is incremental.