Q. Consider the following statements:
- The monsoon winds obstructed by the Western Ghats causes heavy rainfall in the windward side of the Sahyadris and Western Coastal Plain.
- The region east of the Western Ghats lies in rain-shadow area.
Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer:
Both 1 and 2
Notes: The one branch monsoon winds originating over the Arabian Sea is obstructed by the Western Ghats. These winds climb the slopes of the Western Ghats from 900-1200 m. Soon, they become cool, and as a result, the windward side of the Sahyadris and Western Coastal Plain receive very heavy rainfall ranging between 250 cm and 400 cm. After crossing the Western Ghats, these winds descend and get heated up. This reduces humidity in the winds. As a result, these winds cause little rainfall east of the Western Ghats. This region of low rainfall is known as the rain-shadow area.