INDIAN GEOGRAPHY

Detailed explanation-1: -During El Niño events, the ocean near Australia is cooler than usual, bringing lower than average winter–spring rainfall over eastern and northern Australia. Although most major Australian droughts have been associated with El Niño events, widespread drought is certainly not guaranteed when an El Niño is present.

Detailed explanation-2: -Reduced rainfall The shift in rainfall away from the western Pacific, associated with El Niño, means that Australian rainfall is usually reduced through winter–spring, particularly across the eastern and northern parts of the continent.

Detailed explanation-3: -El Niño is related to increases in the likelihood of above-and below-average precipitation over many regions of the globe (Fig. 2). These changes in precipitation likelihoods occur during certain times of the year.

Detailed explanation-4: -Australia is the second-driest continent in the world, with mean annual rainfall less than 600mm for more than 80 per cent of Australia. Australia is so dry because we sit under the subtropical high-pressure belt, which encourages the air to push down, preventing the lift required for rain.

Detailed explanation-5: -Australia’s last El Niño event occurred during the summer of 2019/2020. The country had a severe drought throughout 2019, and the strong El Niño system was partly responsible. The 2019 drought was measured by the Bureau of Meteorology to be Australia’s most intense ever recorded.