Chapter 2: Climate of Pakistan Flashcards
What is the difference between climate and weather?
- Climate: The atmospheric condition of an area over a long period, e.g., 20-30 years.
- Weather: The day-to-day atmospheric condition of an area over a short period.
What are the main sources of rainfall in Pakistan?
- Monsoon Winds
- Western Depression
- Convectional Currents
- Relief Rainfall
- Tropical Cyclones
How do monsoon winds cause rainfall in Pakistan?
- During summer, low pressure over land attracts moist air from the sea.
- Monsoon winds, mainly from the Bay of Bengal, cause heavy rainfall in northern Punjab starting in July.
How do western depressions cause rainfall?
- These winds originate in the Mediterranean Sea, moving across Afghanistan and Iran to reach western Pakistan, bringing rain from December to March.
How do convectional currents cause rainfall?
- As hot air rises at the start of summer, moisture condenses at higher altitudes, causing rainfall in northern and northwestern areas like Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Peshawar.
What is relief rainfall, and where does it occur?
- Relief rainfall occurs when moist air moves up due to land elevation, causing condensation and precipitation on the windward side.
- The leeward side remains dry.
How do tropical cyclones affect Pakistan’s coastal areas?
- Tropical cyclones bring heavy rainfall and destructive winds, though they rarely reach Pakistan’s coast.
- This rainfall source is unreliable.
What are the causes of floods in Pakistan?
- Melting snow
- heavy monsoon rains
- lack of river embankments
- Absence of reservoirs
- Deforestation
- Water released from India’s dams.
What are the benefits of floods?
- Increases soil fertility
- supports hydroelectric power production
- Aids irrigation
- benefits fish breeding, as well as groundwater recharge.
What are the damages caused by floods?
- Isolation of residential areas
- crop destruction
- housing damage
- disease outbreaks
- damage to infrastructure
- threats to life and animals.
How can flood damages be controlled?
- Afforestation
- embankments
- flood channels
- reservoirs
- early warning systems
- evacuation
- rehabilitation,
- restricted buildings in flood-prone areas.
What are the effects of storms and cyclones in Pakistan?
- Crop destruction
- Power outages
- Communication breakdowns
- Transportation difficulties
- Fallen trees
- Accidents
- Damage to fruit crops
What causes droughts in Pakistan?
- Natural Causes: Unreliable monsoon rains, long dry spells, hot winds, and sandy soils.
- Human Causes: Mismanagement of water resources, disputes over water, and overgrazing.
What are the effects of droughts in Pakistan?
- Livestock death
- crop failure
- food shortages
- malnutrition
- migration
- social disruptions.
How can droughts be managed?
- Desalination
- water filtration
- efficient resource management
- artificial water supply
- awareness
- drought-resistant crops.
What are the types of droughts in Pakistan?
- Seasonal Drought: Due to dry seasons in areas with good rain, e.g., Potwar Plateau.
- Invisible Drought: Caused by water deficiency in soil.
- Permanent Drought: Continuous drought without irrigation, e.g., Thal, Thar.
- Unpredictable Drought: Caused by abnormally low rainfall in humid areas.
What are the main factors affecting temperature in Pakistan?
- Continental effect
- Maritime influence
- Latitudinal effect (distance from the equator)
- Altitude effect (temperature drops 6°C per 1,000m)
- Various types of rainfall
- Sun angle variation between seasons
- Cloud cover effects on day and night temperature
