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The Hindu – 21 Sep 2022 – Daily Current Affairs

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Daily Current Affairs for TNPSC Group Exams, Upsc Exams, SSC, RRB, BANK & All Government Exams – The Hindu – 21 Sep 2022

Topic 1 : The National Logistics Policy

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the National Logistics Policy recently.
 

Key details:

  • Aim: It aimed at easing the movement of goods and boosting the trade sector in the Indian economy.
  • Need for the scheme:
    • Logistics broadly includes facilities crucial to trade:
      • transport services for the movement of goods,
      • storage facilities that are particularly essential for trade in perishable goods such as food items, fruits, and vegetables, and
      • smooth functioning of government services that facilitate trade such as licensing and customs.
  • A Ministry of Commerce and Industry survey suggested that states should focus on areas such as:
    • developing sector-specific skilling infrastructure and
    • streamlining logistics-related approval and
    • clearance processes.

Features of the National Logistics Policy

  • The new logistics policy has four features:
    • Integration of Digital System (IDS);
    • Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP);
    • Ease of Logistics (ELOG);
    • System Improvement Group (SIG).
  • A Unified Logistics Interface Platform ULIP will bring all the digital services related to the transportation sector into a single portal.
  • A new digital platform Ease of Logistics Services (E-Logs) has also been started for industry associations to resolve issues by reaching out to the government.

Government initiatives on improving logistics

  • Previous programmes and schemes aimed at improving logistics aspects:
    • the FASTag for electronic toll tax collection
    • faceless assessment for customs
    • the Gati Shakti master plan
    • A single platform was launched for ministries to monitor the progress of various infrastructure projects.
    • The Centre is aiming at adding over 200 airports, helipads, and water aerodromes where aircraft can land, over the next 4 to 5 years, besides nearly doubling the existing natural gas pipeline network of around 19,000 km.

Topic 2 : Railway Protection Force (RPF)

Context: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) celebrated its 38th Raising Day by organizing a parade for the first time at the central level at Jag Jeewan Ram RPF Academy, Lucknow.

About RPF

  • Railway Protection Force is a security force was established by the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957.
  • It was enacted by the Indian Parliament for the better protection and security of railway property and passenger area.
  • It has the power to search, arrest, investigate, and prosecute offenses committed under Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act 1966, The Railways Act, 1989.
  • However the power of arrests under other penal laws rests in the hands of the Government Railway Police (GRP) of state police.
  • The force is under the authority of the Indian Ministry of Railways.
  • All the officers of Railway Protection Force are members of the Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS) and are recruited through UPSC Civil Services Examination.
  • They are recruited as Group-A Central Civil Servants.
  • However, the post of Director-General of RPF is held on deputation by a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.
  • Recruitment for various posts like sub-inspectors & constables are conducted through various exams held by the Ministry of Railways.
  • The percentage of women in the RPF is the highest among all central paramilitary forces in India.
    • It stands at 10% as of March 2019.
  • The Gazetted IRPFS Officers utilises a similar rank structure to the IPS (Indian Police Service).
  • Non-gazetted ranks are the same as those used in the State Police Services.
  • The governance of RPF is based on:
  • Railway Protection Force Act, 1957
  • Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1966
  • Railway Protection Force Rules, 1987
  • Railway Protection Force Directives, 1987

Topic 3 : SCALE app

Daily Current Affairs for TNPSC Group Exams, Upsc Exams, SSC, RRB, BANK & All Government Exams – The Hindu – 21 Sep 2022

Context: Minister of Education and Skill Development Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched the SCALE (Skill Certification Assessment for Leather Employees) app.
 

Key details:

  • It provides a one-stop solution for the skilling, learning, assessment, and employment needs of the leather industry.
  • It allows people from all age groups interested in leather craft to access online live streamed classes from the state-of-the-art studio at its office.


Importance of leather sector:

  • The leather sector plays a major role in generating large-scale employment in the country with over 44 lakh people currently working.
  • The Leather industry in India accounts for around 13% of the world’s leather production of hides/skins and handles a robust annual production of about 3 bn sq. ft. of leather.
  • The country accounts for 9% of the world’s footwear production.
  • The industry is known for its consistency in high export earnings and it is among the top ten foreign exchange earners for the country.
  • India has an abundance of raw materials with access to 20% of world’s cattle and buffalo and 11% of the world’s goat and sheep population.
  • The Leather industry is an employment intensive industry providing job to more than 4 mn people, mostly from the weaker sections of the society.
  • Women employment is predominant in Leather products industry with about 30% share.
  • The Leather industry in India has one of the youngest workforces with 55% of the workforce below 35 years of age.
  • The major markets for Indian Leather & Leather Products are:
    • USA with a share of 17.22%,
    • Germany 11.98%,
    • U.K 10.43%,
    • Italy 6.33%,
    • France 5.94%,
    • Spain 5.01%,
    • Netherlands 3.52%,
    • U.A.E 3.35%,
    • China 2.61%,
    • Hong Kong 2.15%,
    • Belgium 2.21%
    • Poland 2.11%.

Topic 4 : How climate change is fueling hurricanes

Context: Scientists haven’t yet determined whether climate change is influencing strength and behavior of hurricanes, there’s strong evidence that these devastating storms are getting worse.

Climate change and hurricanes

  • Climate change is making hurricanes wetter, windier and more intense.
  • There is also evidence that it is causing storms to travel more slowly, meaning they can dump more water in one place.
  • Role of oceans:
    • In the last 40 years, the ocean has absorbed about 90% of the warming caused by heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions.
    • Much of this ocean heat is contained near the water’s surface.
    • This additional heat can fuel a storm’s intensity and power stronger winds.
  • Impact on rainfall:
    • Climate change can also boost the amount of rainfall delivered by a storm.
    • Because a warmer atmosphere can also hold more moisture, water vapor builds up until clouds break, sending down heavy rain.
  • Global warming and its impact on storms:
    • The world has already warmed 1.1 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial average.
    • Scientists at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expect that, at 2 degrees C of warming, hurricane wind speeds could increase by up to 10%.
    • NOAA also projects the proportion of hurricanes that reach the most intense levels — Category 4 or 5 — could rise by about 10% this century.
    • To date, less than a fifth of storms have reached this intensity since 1851.
  • Seasonal shifts:
    • The typical “season” for hurricanes is shifting, as climate warming creates conditions conducive to storms in more months of the year.
    • And hurricanes are also making landfall in regions far outside the historic norm.
    • For instance:
      • In the United States, Florida sees the most hurricanes make landfall, with more than 120 direct hits since 1851.
      • But in recent years, some storms are reaching peak intensity and making landfall farther north than in the past – a poleward shift may be related to rising global air and ocean temperatures.

How do hurricanes form?

  • Hurricanes need two main ingredients —
    • warm ocean water and
    • moist, humid air.
  • When warm seawater evaporates, its heat energy is transferred to the atmosphere.
  • This fuels the storm’s winds to strengthen.
  • Without it, hurricanes can’t intensify and will fizzle out.

Difference between cyclone, typhoon, hurricane

  • Technically the same phenomenon, these big storms get different names depending on where and how they were formed.
  • Storms that form over the Atlantic Ocean or central and eastern North Pacific are called “hurricanes” when their wind speeds reach at least 74 miles per hour (119 kilometers per hour).
    • Up to that point, they’re known as tropical storms.
  • In East Asia, violent, swirling storms that form over the Northwest Pacific are called “typhoons”.
  • While “cyclones” emerge over the Indian Ocean and South Pacific.

Topic 5 : ED’s lengthening arm

Context: Since 2014, the ED has gone after politicians suspected of corruption with far greater alacrity than other central law enforcement agencies.

PMLA and the Enforcement Directorate

  • The ED’s aggression has been largely on account of the massive powers bestowed on the agency by the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
  • The PMLA allows the ED to take cognizance of any offence under its wide-ranging schedule across the country, with or without the consent of state governments.
  • It has, therefore, been able to register money laundering cases against politicians or activists based on FIRs filed by state police forces.
    • It is something that the CBI is unable to do unless requested by the state government, or ordered by a court or the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
  • While the National Investigation Agency (NIA) too has powers to take suo motu cognizance of offences across the country, the schedule of the NIA Act that is, the types of offences that it can investigate is limited to about a dozen offences.
  • The schedule of the PMLA on the other hand, has increased from just six offences in 2002 — when the law was enacted — to 30 groups of offences.
  • The ED’s sweeping ambit extends from serious crimes such as terrorism to the hunting of wild animals, and from the infringement of copyright to false trademarks.
  • These provisions of the PMLA have made the ED much more powerful than the CBI, which give investigators the power:
    • to arrest and attach properties and assets of accused,
    • impose stringent bail conditions,
    • make a statement recorded before an investigating officer admissible in court as evidence.

Amendments to PMLA and strengthening of the ED

  • The PMLA’s ambit was widened through amendments in 2009, 2013, 2015, and 2019, giving the ED the teeth it now has.
    • In 2009, ‘criminal conspiracy’ under the Indian Penal Code was added to the PMLA’s schedule among various other offences.
      • This has allowed the ED to enter any case where a conspiracy is alleged — even if the principal offence is not part of the PMLA schedule.
      • In 2009, the ED also got international jurisdiction as far as tracking laundered money was concerned.
    • Following amendments in 2015 and 2018, the ED was allowed to attach properties in India equivalent to properties acquired abroad through laundered money.
    • Through certain “explanations” inserted into the PMLA in 2019, the government allowed the ED to attach properties earned directly or indirectly through alleged criminal activity that was even “relatable” to a scheduled offence.

Contentious provisions

  • The PMLA’s provisions on admissibility of statements made by the accused as evidence, and the stringent bail provisions have been the most contentious.
  • It is the only Act in the country in which a statement recorded before an investigating officer is admissible in court as evidence.
    • Other laws that contained such provisions, such as TADA and POTA, have long been repealed.
  • The provision for bail stipulates that a magistrate will not grant bail to an accused unless he is convinced that prima facie no case is made out.
  • This provision was struck down by the Supreme Court on the ground that it presupposed the trial at the stage of bail itself.
    • But a larger bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar recently upheld the validity of all the provisions of the PMLA, including strict bail conditions in money laundering cases.
    • This has resulted in accused being put behind bars for long periods without bail in offences that attract punishments ranging from two to seven years, literally making the process the punishment.

Topic 6 : Bio-Decomposer (PUSA)

Context: To control stubble burning and reduce air pollution during winter, the Delhi government will spray a bio-decomposer free of cost over 5,000 acres of paddy fields in the city this year.
 

Key details:

  • A bio-decomposer capsule, developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, turns into a solution through a week-long process, after which it decomposes straw and stubble into manure.
  • The Delhi government first used the solution in 2020 and then again in the following year.
  • On both occasions, the government claimed to have achieved positive results.
  • The bio-decomposer will be sprayed for free by the government in all the Basmati and non-Basmati paddy farms in Delhi.
  • The bio-decomposer solution is one of the 15 focus points in the government’s Winter Action Plan.
  • Every winter air pollution spikes in the national capital and adjoining areas due to multiple reasons, including slow wind speed, bursting of firecrackers and pollution from stubble burning.

What is the ‘Pusa Decomposer’?

  • It is essentially a fungi-based liquid solution that can soften hard stubble to the extent that it can be easily mixed with soil in the field to act as compost.
  • This would then rule out the need to burn the stubble, and also help in retaining the essential microbes and nutrients in soil that are otherwise damaged when the residue is burned.
  • The Bio-Decomposer or the microbial solution has the property of decomposing the crop residue and turn it into manure when sprayed in the fields.
  • The decomposers are in form of capsules made by extracting fungi strains, which can produce the essential enzymes for the degradation process.
  • Eventually these fungi strains help the paddy straw to decompose at a faster pace than the usual rate.
  • The window of time required for the solution to work is around 20 to 25 days.

How is the decomposer to be used by farmers?

  • There are seven strains of fungi which help in rapid breakdown of hard stubble.
  • These seven strains of fungi are packed into four capsules.
  • A 25-litre solution is advisable for use in one hectare of land after being mixed with 500 litres of water.
  • It can be sprayed over the field and left to do its work.
  • The decomposer will be used on a trial basis this year in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

Topic 7 : The Kurmis

Context: People belonging to the Kurmi community blocked railway tracks in various parts of eastern India demanding their inclusion on the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST) and the inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Key details:

  • The renewed stir by the Kurmis comes at a time when six communities in Assam — Adivasi, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran and Tai-Ahom — too have threatened to launch an agitation over the “inordinate delay” in their inclusion in the ST list.
  • Currently, in Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand, the Kurmi community is classified under the Other Backward Classes group with the Odisha government also recognising the community under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.
  • State governments in Jharkhand and West Bengal have repeatedly recommended the inclusion of this community in the ST list, with the latest demand coming from the West Bengal government in January 2021, which was accompanied by an ethnographic study conducted by the State’s Cultural Research Institute.
  • The Jharkhand government too had recommended the inclusion of the community in the ST list, following which the State had sent a renewed proposal in 2015 with an ethnographic report.
    • But the Union government decided that the report did not support the inclusion of Kurmi/Kudmi (Mahto) community in the list of STs of Jharkhand.

About the Kurmis

  • The Kurmi are a community in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha of India.
  • They are also known as Kurmii, Kurmi Mahto/Mahato/Mahanta /Mohanta or Kurmi Mohanta.
  • Kurmi were classified as a Notified Tribe by the British Raj under the terms of the Indian Succession Act introduced in 1865 as they have customary rules of succession.
  • Subsequently, in 1913, they were classified as a Primitive tribe.
  • Then they were omitted from the list of communities listed as tribes in the 1931 census.
  • They were omitted from the Scheduled Tribe list drawn up in 1950.
  • In 2004, the Government of Jharkhand recommended that they should be listed as a Scheduled Tribe rather than Other Backward Class.
  • The Tribal Research Institute of Government of India recommended against this proposal, claiming they are a sub-caste of the Kunbi and thus different to tribal people.
  • Therefore, in 2015, the Government of India refused to approve the recommendation of Jharkhand government to list the Kurmi Mahato as Schedule Tribe.

Their Culture

  • The traditional occupation of Kudmi is agriculture.
  • The language of Kudmi is Kurmali.
  • The Kudmis are divided into six divisions:
    • Paribar (family) is the smallest unit.
    • A group of Paribar of same Gusti (clan) living in a place is known as Bakhal/Bakhair (unilineage settlement).
    • The members of some Paribars or Bakhai settled in a locality is known as Kulhi.
    • A group of Kulhi with a separate geographical area, burial ground, agricultural field, grazing land and Akhra forms a Gram (village).
      • Traditionally, a village headman is known as Mahato.
    • A group of twelve village form a Pargana headed by Parganadar who solves all the inter village dispute.
    • A group of Paragans forms a Thapal controlled by Deshmandal.
  • Kudmi are divided into 81 clans called Gusti.
  • Major festivals:
    • Shivratri,
    • Tussu,
    • chadak puja,
    • Jitia,
    • Karam,
    • Bandna.
  • Religion:
    • They worship Gramadevata at gramthan, Shiva (deriving from Budhababa), Maa Manasa.
  • Folk dances:
    • Jhumar and Chhau

Topic 8 : The Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2016

Context: A Constitution Bench decided to examine whether the practice of excommunication in the Dawoodi Bohra community can continue as a “protected practice” despite the coming into force of the Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2016.

Key details:

  • The reference to the Bench was based on a 1962 judgment.
  • The 60-year-old verdict of the top court had held that the religious faith and tenets of the community gave its religious heads the power of excommunication as part of their “management of religious affairs” under Article 26(b).
  • The judgment came on a challenge to Section 3 of the Bombay Prevention of Excommunication Act.

About the law

  • The 2016 law disallows social boycott in the name of caste, community, religion, rituals or customs.
  • What amount to social boycott according to this act?
    • prevent or obstruct another member or group from observing any social or religions custom or usage or ceremony, or
    • from taking part in a social, religious or community function, assembly, congregation, meeting or procession or
    • challenging the freedom of individuals in the name of jati panchayats, religion, customs, or
    • denying them the right to practise a profession of their choice
    • discrimination on the basis of morality, political inclination or sexuality
    • stopping children from playing in a particular space, or
    • disallowing access to crematoria, burial grounds, community halls or educational institutions with mala fide intentions.
  • Freedom in this case includes:
    • the freedom to marry outside one’s caste,
    • visit places of worship,
    • wear clothes of one’s choice and
    • use any specific language.

How does the Act seek to prevent social boycott?

  • A Collector or District Magistrate, on receiving information of the likelihood of unlawful assembly for imposition of social boycott can, by order, prohibit the assembly.
  • Conviction of the offence of social boycott will attract a prison term of up to three years or a fine up to Rs 1 lakh, or both.
  • Abetment by an individual or group will invite the same punishment.
  • The offence of social boycott is cognisable and bailable, and will be tried by a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate First Class.
  • To ensure speedy justice, trial would have to be completed within a period of six months from the date of filing the chargesheet.

Topic 9 : The Hindu Religious Endowment Act

Context: A petition challenged various provision of Waqf Act and alleged that why only Muslims be allowed to manage properties when there was no law for other religious community.

Key details:

  • The Supreme Court said that there are Hindu Endowments Act framed by many states on as per which only Hindus can manage and administer religious places and their assets.
  • The court was hearing a plea contending,
  • That the Waqf Act was totally against the secularism, unity and integrity of the nation as the law was made to administer the properties of Muslims but there were no similar laws for followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism, Bahaism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity.
  • The court said such power has also been conferred to the Board under Hindu Religious Endowment Act,  and the issue should not be seen only from the religious point of view.

Background of the Act

  • Around 1840, the then British Government started giving up administration of temples.
  • They asked some of the prominent mutts in Tamil Nadu to look after some of the important temples and endowments.
  • The Heads of Mutts were careful enough to get written documents or “Muchalikas” from the British Government, which assured them that they would not take back the temples from the Mutts.
  • Thus some very important temples came under the complete control and ownership of these Mutts.
  • Thousands of other temples in the then Madras Presidency were handed over to the respective trustees with the then Government playing little or no role in supervising them.
  • In 1925, the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1923 was passed by the local Legislature with the object of providing for better governance and administration of certain religious endowments.
  • The Act divided temples into what are known as Excepted and Non-excepted temples.
  • Immediately after the Act came into force, its validity was challenged on the ground that the Act was not validly passed.
  • For this reason, the legislature enacted the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1926, repealing the previous Act.
  • The Act was amended by 1946 by as many as ten Acts.
  • A new Hindu Religious Act was passed by the Madras Government, known as the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1951.
  • Further, this Act too was repealed as it was held unconstitutional and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 was enacted

Objective of the Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowment Act

  • The object of the Madras Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Act 1951, is to amend and consolidate the law relating to the administration and governance of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment.
  • The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Act exists for:
    • better administration, protection and preservation of temples and the endowed properties attached thereto, and
    • for fulfillment of the objects, with reasonable restrictions, which do not violate the rights of religious freedom guaranteed by the constitution.

Kinds of Endowments

  • Unrestricted endowment.
    • This form of endowment enables the recipient organization to send an endowment’s proceeds as it sees fit – there are no restrictions.
  • Restricted endowments.
    • With this endowment model, funds (i.e., the principal) are held in the endowment in perpetuity, and the endowment interest is used to further the organization’s cause, via instructions by donors.
  • Term endowment.
    • This endowment model limits the spending of endowment assets by a specific period of time or after a specific event is held.
  • Quasi-endowment.
    • A quasi-endowment includes funds directed into an endowment by an individual or group donator, and are intended to have a specific purpose.

Arguments against the Act

  • A strong argument against the constitutionality of HR & CE Act is that, the mentioned act violates Article 26 of the Indian Constitution.
  • Clauses c and d of Article 26 states that:
    • “Subject to public order, morality and health, every religious denomination or any section thereof shall have the right—
      • (c) to own and acquire movable and immovable property; and
      • (d) to administer such property in accordance with law”
  • As per this section, every religious denomination shall have the right to own and acquire any type of property and the right to administer the owned property.
  • The simple interpretation of this section draws a question over the applicability of this act.
  • If the religious denomination has the right to administer the property, then why is there a separate legislation to govern it?
  • It was held in the case of Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowments, Madras vs. Shri Lakshmindra Thirtha Swamiar of Shirur Mutt, that:
    • As Art 26 contemplated not merely a religious denomination but also a section thereof, the Math can legitimately come within the purview of this Article.
    • This case is famously known as the ‘Shirur case’ as it held the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1951 as unconstitutional and thus the act was subsequently repealed and was replaced by the 1959 Act.

Topic 10 : Southwest monsoon

Context: The southwest monsoon rainfall has started to withdraw from parts of southwest Rajasthan and Kutch.

Key details:

  • The normal or average date of withdrawal from southwest Rajasthan was September 17.
  • The withdrawal of the monsoon was based on meteorological conditions such as:
    • an anti-cyclonic circulation (dry air that is the opposite of a cyclone),
    • the absence of rain in the past five days and
    • the water vapour imagery indicating dry weather conditions over the region.
  • The monsoon withdrawal is a long-drawn process and extends into mid-October, though the IMD considers September 30 to be the final day of the season over India.
    • The rain after that is categorised as “post-monsoon” rainfall.
  • India has so far recorded 7% more rain than what is normal for the period.
  • The surplus is due to excess rain in central and southern India.
  • The northwest, eastern and northeastern parts of the country have registered a deficit of 4-17% of their normal rainfall.

Southwest Monsoon

  • The southwesterly monsoon is a prevailing wind that blows during the wet seasons of April to October.
  • Very heavy rains are brought to India and to countries surrounding the Indian Ocean. These include:
    • Pakistan,
    • Bangladesh,
    • Burma,
    • Thailand,
    • the Arabian Peninsula (Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Republic, and Yemen)
    • neighboring African countries that border the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.
  • It bring the majority of the rainfall to the region each year.

What causes the southwest or summer monsoon?

  • The differential heating of land and water causes the Indian summer monsoon.
  • In summer, the Asian land mass heats up to form a low-pressure system, which attracts  winds from the Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal, which were at lower temperatures and thus high-pressure systems.
  • During summer in the northern hemisphere, the Tropic of Cancer receives direct rays from the sun, and the continental land masses in this hemisphere heat up considerably more than the oceans, creating a low-pressure zone over India and Central Asia.
  • This causes the intertropical convergence zone (or ITCZ) – an area of low pressure that forms a band girdling the Earth – to shift northwards from the Equator towards the Tropic of Cancer.
    • This zone is formed at the meeting of the southeast and northeast trade winds, which are winds close to the Earth’s surface that blow from east to west just north and south of the Equator.
  • When this shift occurs, the ITCZ shifts northwards from below India to run directly through the Indian subcontinent and strengthens the low pressure forming over this area.
  • At the same time, the southeast trade winds, which cross the Equator due to this movement, become deflected towards the east due to the Coriolis effect (a force that causes fluids like air and water to curve as they travel across the Earth’s surface).
    • These deflected trade winds blow towards India from the southwest, picking up large amounts of moisture from the Arabian sea.
    • As they hit the Indian peninsula, they cause the southwest or Indian summer monsoon.
  • The summer monsoon winds split into two branches:
    • The Arabian sea branch
      • The Arabian sea arm causes rainfall all along India’s western coast.
    • The Bay of Bengal branch
      • The Bay of Bengal arm skirts the eastern coast and moves over the Bay of Bengal to strike against the Bengal coast and brings rain to the southern slopes of the Shillong plateau.
      • The Himalayas, which act as a barrier towards the further inland movement of this branch, herd it towards northern India.
    •  The two branches converge over Punjab and Himachal Pradesh by mid-July.

The retreating monsoon

  • As summer wanes in the northern hemisphere, the ITCZ begins to drift down towards the south of the Equator, which causes a reversal in the movements of the trade winds.
  • The Asian landmass, including India, cools rapidly, and forms a large area of high pressure, while the oceans, which cool at a slower rate, form low pressure zones.
  • This causes drier and colder air from the continent to blow offshore causing the retreating monsoon or the northeast monsoon.
  • In northwest India, the monsoon withdraws rapidly and completely by September.
  • But in Southeast India, this withdrawal is more gradual, as the retreating monsoon picks up moisture form the Bay of Bengal.
    • This brings rains to the Tamil Nadu coast.
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