Explain the climatic characteristics of Punjab-Haryana Plain.

Hint:
Punjab-Haryana Plain is formed by five important rivers of the Indus system.
The region has a monsoon type climate, with dry cold winters and hot summers.

Complete answer:
Punjab-Haryana Plain is formed by five important rivers of the Indus system i.e., Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. It is primarily made up of ‘doabs’ (a piece of land lying between and reaching to the meeting of the two rivers). The plain has a total area of about 1.75 lakh sq km.
The northern boundary of Punjab Haryana plain is bounded by the Siwalik (Shiwalik) Range, eastern boundary by the Yamuna River, the arid zone of Rajasthan bound the south, and the Ravi and Sutlej rivers bound the northwest and southwest, respectively.

Climatic characteristics
> The region has a monsoon type climate, with dry cold winters and hot summers.
> The climate is extremely hot and extreme cold.
> Annual temperature in the plain ranges from 2 to 40 degree Celsius. May and June are characterized by hot and dry winds, known as 'loo'.
> Rainfall decreased from about 950mm near the Shiwalik range to 330mm along the Rajasthan desert. The annual rainfall varies from 950mm in Ambala to 460mm in Hissar.
> Most of the rainfall occurs from July to September. Some amount of rainfall is received between December and March because of the western depressions. It proves useful for Rabi crops.

Note:
After the defeat of “Prithviraj Chauhan” by Muhammad Ghori in 1192 AD, the Muslims established their firm control in the region.
The death of Mughal emperor “Aurangzeb” in 1707 and the weakening of Mughal rule at Delhi enabled the Sikh dynasty to gain power.
The Punjab-Haryana Plain also has considerable strategic importance, since its western boundary coincides with the India-Pakistan border.