Meteorological Drought Causes Explained

Meteorological drought is defined by a significant deficit in expected rainfall over a specific period. It's the most basic form of drought, focusing solely on precipitation levels.

Analyzing Drought Causes

Let's examine how each option relates to meteorological drought:

• Prolonged breaks in monsoon: Extended periods without rain during the monsoon season directly cause a rainfall deficit, leading to meteorological drought.
• Decrease in surface water: This is typically a consequence of drought (meteorological, agricultural, or hydrological), affecting rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. It is not a primary cause of the lack of rainfall itself.
• Late onset or early withdrawal of monsoons: Both scenarios shorten the period during which rainfall occurs, resulting in less precipitation and thus meteorological drought.
• Lean monsoon: This term signifies a monsoon season with below-average rainfall, directly contributing to meteorological drought conditions.

Conclusion on Causes

Based on the definitions, prolonged breaks, late/early monsoons, and lean monsoons are all direct factors contributing to a lack of rainfall, which defines meteorological drought. A decrease in surface water, however, is an effect or impact that follows a period of reduced rainfall.

Therefore, the decrease in surface water is NOT the main cause of meteorological drought.