Consider the following statements with regard to cold waves in winter season in northern India : 1. There is lack of maritime influence. 2. Northern India is nearer to the Himalayan region. 3. Air mass comes from polar regions to northern India. Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

Cold waves in northern India during the winter season are primarily driven by three factors. First, the lack of maritime influence (continentality) in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan leads to extreme temperature variations compared to coastal regions [2]. Second, the proximity to the Himalayan region is crucial; snowfall in the nearby ranges creates a cold wave situation as chilly winds creep into the foothills and plains [4]. Third, while cold winds do enter India, they typically originate from the Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan (Central Asia) rather than the polar regions directly [2]. Although some global atmospheric links exist between the polar vortex and mid-latitudes, standard geographical explanations for the Indian subcontinent emphasize the Siberian High and Central Asian winds rather than a direct polar air mass intrusion [5]. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Sources

1. [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Climates of India > d) Winds > p. 52
2. [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 27: Jet streams > Polar Vortex Cold Wave (Sudden Stratospheric Warming) > p. 392
3. [1] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate > The Cold Weather Season > p. 31
4. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > cold Waves and frost > p. 53
5. [5] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > 1. The Cold Weather Season > p. 17