Which of the following is the primary cause of the rain shadow effect in the Western Ghats region of India?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
The Western Ghats intercepting moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea
Explanation
The rain shadow effect occurs when moisture-laden winds are forced to rise by a mountain range, resulting in heavy rainfall on the windward side. As the air crosses over to the leeward side, it has already lost most of its moisture, leading to significantly less rainfall. In India, the Western Ghats act as a barrier to the south-west monsoon winds coming from the Arabian Sea, causing heavy precipitation on the western slopes while leaving the Deccan Plateau, located just behind, in a rain shadow zone.
Key Points
The windward side is the side where winds first encounter the mountain, resulting in rainfall. The leeward side is the side behind the mountain, known as the rain shadow area. The continuity and elevation of the Western Ghats make them an effective barrier that forces monsoon winds to rise.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: Which part of India falls into the rain shadow zone?
Answer: The eastern slopes of the Western Ghats and a large portion of the Deccan Plateau fall under the rain shadow zone.
Question: Is the rain shadow effect exclusively a mountain phenomenon?
Answer: Yes, it is primarily an orographic event caused by mountain ranges acting as physical barriers to air flow.