Correct Option
The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The weather conditions during the winter season in India are primarily governed by the pressure distribution over Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. This season is characterized by the reversal of pressure gradients compared to the summer monsoon, leading to the establishment of the Northeast Monsoon.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: During the winter season, the sun shifts towards the southern hemisphere. Consequently, the vast landmass of Central Asia and the region north of the Himalayas cools rapidly, leading to the development of a strong high-pressure area.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Winds flow from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. In winter, high pressure exists over the land (north of the Himalayas and the Indian subcontinent) and low pressure exists over the warmer Indian Ocean. Therefore, winds blow from the land towards the ocean, not from the ocean towards the land.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The winds originating from the high-pressure center north of the Himalayas flow southwards over the Indian subcontinent. Since they originate from a continental (land) source, these winds are cold and dry. They do not carry moisture or warmth, except when they pick up moisture while crossing the Bay of Bengal (causing rainfall in the Coromandel Coast).
Key Takeaway: The winter season in India is defined by a high-pressure system north of the Himalayas, causing cold, dry, offshore winds to blow from the land towards the Indian Ocean.