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MAINS 2014
GS1
10 marks

Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree?

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7 min
150 words
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What the examiner wants

Assess whether El Nino alone explains unusual climatic events, especially in India.

Do you agreeAnswer exactly what the question asks.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1El Nino effects: weak Indian monsoon, droughts in Australia/Indonesia, floods in Peru, warmer global years≈30 words
  2. 2Other drivers: Indian Ocean Dipole, Madden-Julian Oscillation, La Nina, Western Disturbances, Arctic amplification, global warming trends≈30 words
  3. 3Evidence that El Nino does not always decide: some El Nino years had normal Indian monsoon≈30 words
  4. 4Conclusion: partly agree; El Nino is one major driver, not a universal explanation≈30 words

Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.

Answer plan

Explain ENSO mechanismEvents it explainsEvents it does notOther driversBalanced stand

Where marks usually go

  • Agreeing fully without other drivers like IOD
  • Explaining El Nino mechanism at length without answering 'do you agree'

Draw this

  • Diagram of Walker circulation in normal and El Nino years

Value addition

  • Example1997-98 was a very strong El Nino but India's monsoon was normal, largely due to a positive Indian Ocean Dipole.IMD records
  • ThinkerGilbert Walker identified the Southern Oscillation in the 1920s while trying to forecast the Indian monsoon.Walker, IMD

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