The Coromandel Coast of India receives heavy rainfall from cyclonic storms mainly during which pair of months?

Introduction / Context:
The Coromandel Coast is the south eastern coastal belt of India along Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh, facing the Bay of Bengal. It has a unique rainfall pattern compared to much of the rest of the country because it receives a significant portion of its annual rainfall from the retreating or north east monsoon and associated cyclonic storms. Understanding the timing of these cyclones is essential for climate and monsoon related questions in Indian geography.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The region in question is the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal.
• The focus is on rainfall from cyclonic storms, not from the normal south west monsoon.
• We are given month pairs: February–March, July–August, November–December, and a general “None of these.”
• We assume typical monsoon behaviour as described in standard climatology of India.

Concept / Approach:
India experiences two main monsoon phases: the south west monsoon (June to September) and the retreating or north east monsoon (October to December). While most of India receives heavy rain from the south west monsoon in June–September, the Coromandel Coast gets a large share of its rain from the retreating monsoon and associated cyclonic storms originating in the Bay of Bengal. These cyclones are especially frequent and intense during late October, November, and sometimes early December. Therefore, the time frame we are looking for must lie in the late post monsoon season.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the south west monsoon, dominant in July and August, mainly benefits the western coast and interior regions, not the Coromandel Coast. Step 2: Understand that the Coromandel Coast gets its maximum rainfall from the retreating monsoon and cyclonic storms over the Bay of Bengal. Step 3: These cyclonic disturbances commonly occur in late October and November and can extend into early December. Step 4: Among the given options, the pair that best represents this peak cyclonic activity period is November and December. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is the option “November and December.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Climatological data and weather reports for cities like Chennai and Puducherry show that significant cyclonic storms and depressions hit this coast in late October and November, sometimes continuing into December. Geography textbooks repeatedly highlight that the Coromandel Coast receives winter or retreating monsoon rains during October to December, with cyclone related heavy downpours particularly in November and early December. This pattern confirms that November and December are the key months mentioned in exam type questions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
February and March: These months fall in the late winter and early pre monsoon season when cyclonic activity over the Bay of Bengal is generally low, and the Coromandel Coast does not receive major cyclone related rainfall. July and August: These months belong to the peak south west monsoon, during which the eastern coast, including the Coromandel, often lies in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats and does not get its heaviest rains. None of these: Incorrect because one of the given pairs, November and December, does in fact correspond to the principal cyclonic rainfall season for the Coromandel Coast.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to assume that all Indian coastal regions receive their heaviest rainfall in June–September, which leads students to choose July and August by default. Another confusion arises between “monsoon rainfall” and “cyclonic rainfall” in the Bay of Bengal. To avoid this, remember that the Coromandel Coast is an exception: it gets more rain from the retreating north east monsoon and associated cyclones, mainly during October to December, especially November. This simple memory aid will help you answer such questions correctly.

Final Answer:
The Coromandel Coast of India receives heavy rainfall from cyclonic storms mainly during the months of November and December.