UPSC | Prelims GS | 2026

Consider the following statements about the climate phenomena discussed in the newspaper: 1. El Niño involves unusual warming of eastern tropical Pacific waters. 2. A positive Indian Ocean Dipole generally involves warmer western Indian Ocean waters relative to the eastern part. 3. El Niño invariably increases rainfall over all parts of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Correct Answer

1 and 2 only

Explanation

A is correct: the article describes Pacific warming off Peru and Ecuador and a positive IOD as western Indian Ocean warming relative to the east. B and D are wrong because statement 3 is false. C is wrong because statement 2 is true while statement 3 is not; El Niño’s effects vary regionally and are not uniformly wetter.

Topics: climate variability, enso and iod, environment, indian monsoon teleconnections