Explain Madden-Julian oscillations and its difference from El-Nino? Discuss its impact on Indian monsoon.

Madden-Julian Oscillation is a system of cloud, wind and rain which keeps moving around the globe.

Difference from El-Nino:

• El-nino originates in western coast of South America (East Pacific) and impacts global climate especially Indian Ocean Maiden-Julian oscillation moves around the world.
• The Atlantic is untouched by El-Nino, while MJO impacts it also.
• El-nino is a seasonal phenomenon while MGO exists all year, although it strengthens & weakens in different periods.
• El-Nino occurs in a gap of 3 to 5 years, MJO strengthens in different places, at different times.

Impact on Indian monsoon:

• MJO has two components, whenever the rainfall component of the MJO falls on the Indian Ocean, the monsoon is more powerful.
• It reduces the impact of El Nino on the Indian monsoon.
• In the period of La Nina, if MJO strikes then rainfall is very heavy causing floods.

Thus, MGO and El-Nino along with other factors like La-Nina impact the Indian monsoon.

Topics: GS-I: Salient Features of World Physical Geography • GS-I: Important Geophysical Phenomena