La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino? 1. La Nina is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperature in the equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Niño is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. 2. El Nino has adverse effects on the south-west monsoon of India, but La Niña has no effect on monsoon climate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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YESPYQ · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: Neither 1 nor 2. Statement 1 is incorrect : La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific (not the Indian Ocean). In contrast, El Niño is associated with unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean. Statement 2 is incorrect : El Niño events are associated with a weakening of the Indian monsoon leading to reduced rainfall and drought conditions in India. This occurs because the warm- ing of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean alters atmospheric circulation patterns, which can suppress the monsoon rains over the Indian subcontinent. La Niña events typically have the op- posite effect, strengthening the Indian monsoon and often resulting in above-average rainfall. The cooling of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean during La Niña enhances the monsoon circulation, leading to increased precipitation over India. 84

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