### **2 Marks Type Answers**

**1. What is the hydrological cycle?**

The **hydrological cycle**, or **water cycle**, describes the continuous movement of water
within the Earth's atmosphere, surface, and underground. It includes processes like
**evaporation** (water turning into vapor), **condensation** (vapor forming clouds),
**precipitation** (rain, snow, hail), **infiltration** (water seeping into the ground), and
**runoff** (water flowing into rivers, lakes, or oceans). This cycle maintains Earth's water
balance.

**2. Define precipitation & overland flow.**

- **Precipitation:** It is the process by which water falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's
surface in various forms, such as **rain, snow, sleet, or hail**, due to condensation of water
vapor in clouds.

- **Overland Flow:** It is the movement of excess water over the land surface when the soil
cannot absorb any more water. It occurs after heavy rainfall, leading to water accumulation in
rivers, lakes, or low-lying areas.

**3. What is air temperature and moisture condition?**

- **Air Temperature:** It is the measure of how hot or cold the air is at a given time, usually
measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F). It influences weather patterns, evaporation,
and human comfort.

- **Moisture Condition:** It refers to the amount of **water vapor** present in the air, which
affects humidity, cloud formation, and rainfall. Higher moisture levels lead to increased chances
of precipitation.

**4. What is normal dry bulb and maximum level?**

- **Dry Bulb Temperature:** It is the air temperature measured by a thermometer **without**

**5. What is trap efficiency?**

Trap efficiency is the ability of a reservoir or dam to **capture and retain sediment** carried by
a river. It is calculated as:

\[

\text{Trap Efficiency} = \left( \frac{\text{Sediment Retained}}{\text{Total Sediment Inflow}}

\]

A higher trap efficiency means the reservoir is effectively reducing sediment deposition
downstream, which helps maintain water quality and prevent siltation.

---

### **6 Marks Type Answers**

**6. Explain four types of precipitation.**

Precipitation occurs when water droplets in clouds become heavy and fall to the Earth's surface.
There are four main types of precipitation:

1. **Rain:** The most common form, where liquid water droplets fall from clouds when the
temperature is above freezing (0°C). Rain varies in intensity from light drizzles to heavy
downpours.

2. **Snow:** Occurs when water vapor condenses into ice crystals in **cold temperatures
(below 0°C)**. These ice crystals combine to form snowflakes, which fall to the ground as solid
precipitation.
3. **Sleet:** A mixture of rain and ice that occurs when snow partially melts while falling but
refreezes before reaching the ground. It is common in **winter storms**.

4. **Hail:** Hard, rounded ice pellets formed within **strong thunderstorm clouds**. When
updrafts lift raindrops into very cold air, they freeze and accumulate layers of ice before falling
to the ground.

These types of precipitation play a vital role in the **water cycle, agriculture, and climate
patterns**.

**7. What is the index of wetness?**

The **Index of Wetness** measures how wet a specific year is compared to the average rainfall
in that region. It is calculated using:

\[

\text{Index of Wetness} = \left( \frac{\text{Actual Rainfall}}{\text{Average Annual Rainfall}}

\]

- If the value is **above 100**, the year was wetter than average.

- If the value is **below 100**, the year was drier than average.

This index helps in **climate analysis, agriculture planning, and water resource
management**.

**8. If the rainfall in a year is 98 cm & avg annual rainfall is 116 cm, then find out the index of
wetness & rainfall deficiency?**

Given:

- **Actual Rainfall = 98 cm**

**Index of Wetness Calculation:**

\[

\left( \frac{98}{116} \right) \times 100 = 84.48\%

\]

**Rainfall Deficiency Calculation:**

\[

100 - 84.48 = 15.52\%

\]

Thus, the **Index of Wetness is 84.48%** and the **Rainfall Deficiency is 15.52%**, meaning
this year had **less rainfall than average**.

**9. What is runoff? Explain different types of runoff.**

**Runoff** is the flow of water over the land surface when rainfall or snowmelt exceeds the
soil's infiltration capacity. It eventually drains into rivers, lakes, or oceans.

**Types of Runoff:**

1. **Surface Runoff:** Water that flows over the land when it cannot be absorbed by the soil. It
is the primary cause of **flooding and erosion**.

2. **Subsurface Runoff (Interflow):** Water that **moves through the upper soil layers**
before reaching streams or rivers. This occurs in areas with **porous soil or sloping land**.
3. **Base Flow (Groundwater Runoff):** Water that infiltrates deep into the ground and
**slowly contributes to river flow** over time. It is the primary source of river water during
**dry seasons**.

Runoff plays a crucial role in **water cycle dynamics, soil erosion, and water resource
management**.

**10. What is orographic, frontal, and cyclonic rainfall?**

1. **Orographic Rainfall:**

- Occurs when moist air is forced to rise over mountains.

- As the air rises, it cools and condenses, causing heavy rainfall on the **windward** side of
the mountain.

- The **leeward** side remains dry, creating a **rain shadow region** (e.g., Western Ghats in
India).

2. **Frontal Rainfall:**

- Happens when warm and cold air masses meet.

- The warm air rises above the cold air, cools down, and forms clouds that result in
**continuous rain**.

- Common in **temperate regions and monsoon systems**.

3. **Cyclonic Rainfall:**

- Caused by low-pressure systems such as **cyclones, hurricanes, or typhoons**.

- Air spirals inward, rises, cools, and condenses to form **intense and prolonged rainfall**.

- Associated with extreme weather events like **storms and heavy flooding** (e.g., monsoons
in India).
These three types of rainfall are **essential for agriculture, water supply, and climate
regulation** but can also lead to **natural disasters like floods and droughts**.