Waiting for the RainsWaiting for the Rains

The Effects of Monsoonsin South Asia

What are some details you notice?What information does the bar graph tell us?What information does the line graph tell us?

WARM UP

What might be some of the challenges of living in a city that receives this much rainfall in such a short period of time?

What might be some of the adaptations people make to survive in this climate?

DefinitionsDefinitions

Open your Geography Alive! Open your Geography Alive! Textbook to page to Page 400-401 Textbook to page to Page 400-401 and define the following terms:and define the following terms:

• atmospheric pressureatmospheric pressure• MonsoonMonsoon• orographic effectorographic effect• rain shadowrain shadow

How Are Monsoons Created?How Are Monsoons Created?Monsoons are created when the air

over South Asia warms up. As this hot air rises, it creates a low-

pressure area. When this happens, cool, moist air

from the Indian Ocean flows into the area of low pressure.

This movement of air creates the monsoon winds.

Why are monsoons important in Why are monsoons important in South Asia?South Asia?

The monsoons in South Asia occur in the summer and can bring up to 90 percent of the year’s rainfall.

How might cities on the eastern side of the Western Ghats be less affected by summer monsoons?

Directions for Assembling the Directions for Assembling the PuzzlesPuzzles

Step 1: Read sections 27.3 and take notes on handout. Stop and wait!

Step 2: Discuss effects and adaptations with teacher and peers.

Step 3: Based on your readings match the correct climate map, climagraph and photograph for each city.

27.327.3Effects of living in this climate: Possible

answers:• Floods can destroy property and take lives.• Crops can be destroyed if fields flood.• Flooded streets hurt transportation.• Drinking water can be polluted.• Schools and businesses might close.• Diseases spread.Adaptations to living in this climate:• Structures are built on stilts to prevent flood

damage.• Farmers often grow rice, which requires a lot

of water.

Directions for Assembling the Directions for Assembling the PuzzlesPuzzles

Step 1: Read sections 27.4-27.6 and take notes on handout. Stop and wait!

Step 2: Discuss effects and adaptations with teacher and peers.

Step 3: Based on your readings match the correct climate map, climagraph and photograph for each city.

27.427.4Effects of living in this climate: Possible

answers:• Droughts are common.• Less than 14 inches of rain falls per year.• Growing crops is difficult.• Drinking water can become scarce.• Diseases spread.Adaptations to living in this climate:• People raise livestock in addition to crops.• Farmers use drip irrigation.• Families survive by eating samas, a wild grass.

Directions for Assembling the Directions for Assembling the PuzzlesPuzzles

Step 1: Read sections 27.3-27.6 and take notes on handout. Stop and wait!

Step 2: Discuss effects and adaptations with teacher and peers.

Step 3: Based on your readings match the correct climate map, climagraph and photograph for each city.

27.527.5Effects of living in this climate: Possible answers:• Farmers get needed water for dry fields.• Flooding is common.• City’s sewer system backs up quickly.• Children wade through flooded streets to get to school.• Transportation suffers.• 50 inches of rain can fall in 4 months.• Drinking water becomes contaminated.• Diseases spread.

Adaptations to living in this climate:• Rickshaws carry passengers through flooded streets.• Canals might be rebuilt to help with flooding.• Sewer lines are being repaired.• Rivers are kept clear of garbage to prevent flooding.

Directions for Assembling the Directions for Assembling the PuzzlesPuzzles

Step 1: Read sections 27.3-27.6 and take notes on handout. Stop and wait!

Step 2: Discuss effects and adaptations with teacher and peers.

Step 3: Based on your readings match the correct climate map, climagraph and photograph for each city.

27.627.6• Effects of living in this climate: • Only 29 inches of rain falls in a year.• Crops are hard to grow.

Adaptations to living in this climate:• Cloud seeding is used to help bring rain.• Farmers plant drought-resistant crops,

like sugar beets.

27.327.3

27.427.4

27.527.5

27.627.6

• Read Section 27.8 and answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1. What information does this map tell you? 2. What are some things you notice about these

climagraphs?3. How would you describe the climate of Barrow, Alaska? 4. How would you describe the climate of London,

England?5. How would you describe the climate of Tindouf, Algeria? 6. Take a moment to read the three postcards. List 3

examples of the kinds of adaptations people make to life in various climates.

Global ConnectionsGlobal Connections