Comparative Study of the Climate
of Indian States : Delhi and
Sikkim
Delhi and Sikkim, although both part of India, experience vastly
different climates due to their geographic locations, altitude,
and terrain. Delhi is located in northern India, while Sikkim is a
northeastern state, with diverse landscapes ranging from plains
to the Himalayan mountains. The following are some
comparative study of climate:
1. Geographical Location and Elevation
Delhi: Located at a latitude of 28.6139° N and longitude of
77.2090° E, Delhi is situated on the Indo-Gangetic plain. It
has an average elevation of around 213 meters above sea
level. The city's climate is characterized by extreme
seasonal changes.
Sikkim: Sikkim lies at 27.0392° N latitude and 88.6133° E
longitude in the eastern Himalayas. It has a varied
elevation, ranging from around 300 meters to over 8,000
meters above sea level, which results in significant climatic
variation across the state.
2. Climate
Delhi: Delhi experiences a semi-arid climate, with hot
summers, cool winters, and a monsoon season.
o Summer: Extremely hot, with temperatures
exceeding 45°C in May and June.
o Winter: Cold, with temperatures dropping to around
3°C in January.
o Monsoon: From June to September, heavy rainfall is
common due to the southwest monsoon winds.
Sikkim: The climate of Sikkim is highly diverse due to its
varied topography. It has a temperate climate in lower
regions and a cold alpine climate at higher altitudes.
o Summer: The lower regions have a mild, temperate
climate with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C.
The higher altitudes are cooler.
o Winter: Winters are cold, with temperatures in the
lower regions around 5°C to 10°C, and the higher
regions can drop below freezing.
o Monsoon: Like Delhi, Sikkim also receives heavy
rainfall during the monsoon (from June to
September), but due to the terrain, Sikkim
experiences higher annual rainfall.
3. Temperature
Delhi:
o Maximum: Summers can see maximum temperatures
reaching 45–47°C in May and June.
o Minimum: Winters can get as low as 3–5°C in
January.
o Annual average temperature: Around 25°C.
Sikkim:
o Maximum: The maximum temperature in the lower
regions during summer is between 15°C and 25°C. At
higher elevations, it remains cooler.
o Minimum: In winters, temperatures drop significantly
in the higher regions (below freezing) while the lower
regions may see temperatures around 5°C–10°C.
o Annual average temperature: Around 10–15°C in the
lower altitudes.
4. Precipitation and Rainfall
Delhi:
o Average Annual Rainfall: Around 800–1,100 mm,
most of which occurs during the monsoon (June to
September).
o Rainfall Distribution: The monsoon season brings
intense rainfall, while the rest of the year remains
mostly dry with sporadic showers.
Sikkim:
o Average Annual Rainfall: Sikkim receives a
substantial amount of rainfall, ranging between 1,500
mm to 3,000 mm annually, depending on the region.
o Rainfall Distribution: The state experiences heavy
monsoon rains, with the highest rainfall recorded in
the higher altitudes due to orographic rainfall (rain
caused by the mountains). The monsoon season lasts
from June to September.
5. Humidity
Delhi:
o Average Relative Humidity: Around 50–60%. It is
higher during the monsoon season and lower in the
summer months, which makes the heat more
oppressive.
Sikkim:
o Average Relative Humidity: 75–85%. The higher
humidity levels are caused by the constant presence
of moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal,
especially during the monsoon.
6. Wind and Air Quality
Delhi:
o Wind: Delhi experiences relatively low winds, except
during the monsoon. Winds in summer can be dusty
and dry, and air quality often deteriorates, especially
in winter due to the burning of crop residue and
vehicular emissions.
o Air Quality: Delhi suffers from poor air quality and is
often among the most polluted cities in the world,
with high concentrations of particulate matter (PM
2.5 and PM 10), especially in winter.
Sikkim:
Wind: Sikkim has relatively mild winds throughout the
year, but the winds can be strong in the higher altitudes,
especially during the winter months.
o Air Quality: Sikkim has comparatively cleaner air and
is less polluted than Delhi due to its low population
density and lush natural environment.
7. Seasonal Variations
Delhi:
o Summer: Extremely hot with heatwaves.
o Monsoon: Humid with heavy rainfall.
o Winter: Cool and dry, with occasional fog.
Sikkim:
o Summer: Mild and temperate at lower altitudes,
cooler in higher regions.
o Monsoon: Heavy rainfall with risk of landslides.
o Winter: Cold, with snowfall in higher altitudes.
8. Conclusion
So , in conclusion we can say that ,the climate of Delhi is
characterized by extreme heat in the summer and chilly
winters, with a pronounced dry period and moderate rainfall
during the monsoon. In contrast, Sikkim experiences a more
temperate climate in the lowlands, with cooler conditions at
higher altitudes, heavy rainfall, and a significant temperature
drop in winter.
Delhi faces severe temperature extremes and significant air
pollution, whereas Sikkim enjoys a more moderate climate with
cooler temperatures, less air pollution, and greater rainfall due
to its mountainous terrain. The diverse climates in Sikkim, from
subtropical to alpine, are a result of its varied elevations, which
contrast with the relatively uniform climate of Delhi.
INDIA INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL
MANGAF, KUWAIT
ENGLISH INTEGRATED ACTIVITY
NAME: ELSHEBA
CLASS: X – D
ROLL NO.: 10
