Chapter 12, Problem 12.1R

To determine

The reason why the monsoon is crucial for the life in South Asia.

Answer to Problem 12.1R

The agriculture in South Asia requires monsoon rains to grow well and yield higher. In case, if the rains are unusually lesser or if they arrive late, it would lead to crop failure. Though the rains are inevitable for the agriculture, if it occurs in higher quantity and continues for a longer duration, the problems such as floods, power failures, and destruction of crops can happen that would cause great inconvenience to people.

Explanation of Solution

The seasonal variation in the direction of wind which corresponds to the wet and dry periods is referred to as monsoon. The rainfall caused by the monsoon winds are very critical for South Asia.

Agriculture is a major occupation of the region and it requires adequate rainfall at the right time since the crops are sown on the basis of the monsoon season. The crops would fail in case if the rainfall is very high or unusually low or if it arrives too early or late than expected.

Moreover, in case of continuous longer periods of heavy rains, floods and landslides would take place in many regions. This can cause power failures, difficulty in transportation facilities, and various contagious diseases that can even lead to the death of people. Hence, an adequate amount of monsoon rains at the right time is very important for a life in South Asia.