Waiting for the Rains: The Effects of Monsoons in South Asia

1. Waiting for the Rains: The Effects of Monsoons in South Asia

3. Write the definition of monsoon

4. Winter & Summer Monsoons

5. Answer box One

6. Box 2

7. Box 3

8. Box 4

9. a. Changes in Atmospheric Pressure Create Monsoons i. Falling cool air creates high pressure areas. 1. Due to the downward pressure, very little surface air can rise into the upper atmosphere to form clouds. 2. Typically sunny days and no rain. ii. Rising warm air creates low pressure areas. 1. If the rising air is moist, clouds form bringing rain.

10. Atmospheric Pressure: the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on any point of the surface of Earth. Air sinks in high-pressure areas, and few clouds form. Air rises in low-pressure areas to form clouds that produce rain. • Monsoon: a seasonal wind. Summer monsoon winds in South Asia usually bring rain to that region. • Orographic effect: the precipitation that occurs when moist air rises up the side of a mountain. As the air rises, it cools down and releases most of its moisture as rain or snow. • Rain shadow: a dry area on the downwind side of a mountain.

11. Box 5

12. Box 6

14. Orographic Effect

15. Importance of Monsoons http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/monsoon-rains-support-the-indian-rainforest/8987.html

17. Read section 27.3 & determine which image & picture belong

18. III. The Wet Months in Dhaka, Bangladesh

19. a. One of the World’s Wettest Capitals i. Most of Bangladesh lies on a river delta that rises dangerously high during monsoon rains. 1. Result: possible flooding causing difficult rice cultivation. ii. Dhaka: 1. Located in the center of Bangladesh. 2. One of the wettest climates on Earth. 3. Up to 80 inches of rain fall each year. 4. Most rain during summer months. 5. Weather is dry from Novemberto April. iii. Tropical cyclones (aka Hurricane) 1. City is lashed by high winds and waves because city is situated at sea level.

20. b. Life Depends on the Rains i. Bangladesh’s economy depends on agriculture. 1. 3/5th’s of the population farm the rich delta soil, relying on hopefully consistent monsoon rains to water their fields. a. If late many crops suffer. b. If too much rain, flooding occurs. In Dhaka, flooding is an issue. i. Planting and harvesting becomes impossible. ii. Traffic halts. iii. Schools and businesses shut down. iv. Floodwaters pollute city’s drinking supply, encouraging disease to rapidly spread. v. Dhaka life lesson: rains that bring life to local fields can also end life in the city.

21. Read section 27.4 & determine which image & picture belong

22. IV. The Dry Months of Jodhpur, India

23. a. A City on the Edge of a Desert i. Known as the “Blue City” because many of the houses are painted blue. ii. Jodhpur sits at the eastern edge of the TharDesert in northern India. iii. Region is leading producer of cattle, spices, and grains. iv. Typical semiarid climate, with hot, dry weather throughout most of the year. v. Average yearly rainfall = 14 inches vi. Summer monsoons bring rain from June to September. vii. Average temperature stays above 60 degrees.

24. The “Blue City”

25. b. Water is a Critical Resource i.80% of people around Jodhpur are farmers. 1. Farming is difficult in this dry region. 2. Farmers depend on monsoons for water. 3. If too little water, crops fail and drinking water is in short supply. 4. When food runs out, some families survive by eating samas, a wild grass. Disease spreads easier when people are weak from hunger. ii. The people of Jodhpur have adapted to their climate. 1. They raise livestock capable of surviving on native plants when crops fail. 2. Farmers use drip irrigation (drip water directly onto roots) to conserve water.

27. a. South Asia: i. Monsoons affect the climate of South Asia. ii. Differences in atmospheric pressure between the land and sea cause the Summer Monsoons bringing welcome rain and deadly floods to coastal cities. iii. The orographic effect shapes the climate of South Asia.

28. b. Other regions also have monsoons: i. November to April: northern Australia. ii. May to July: West African coast. iii. Middle of summer: Arizona. c. Everywhere: the climate affects human activities.

29. Climate Zones Around the World

30. Create Climagraph on Clarksville & answer questions

31. Monsoon- Frog & Mouse

32. Review for Quiz

33. Monsoon Definition Monsoon- a seasonal wind that hits South Asia twice a year Summer Monsoon = wet air, heavy rains Winter Monsoon = dry air, drought

34. Orographic Effect Rain Shadow- droughts

35. Take quiz over information # 2 is B Edmodo- assignment