Monsoon Barrier: Western Ghats Function
The southwest monsoon winds, originating from the Arabian Sea, bring significant moisture to India. When these moisture-laden winds encounter a major mountain range, they are forced to ascend.
As the winds rise, the air cools, causing water vapor to condense and precipitate. This results in heavy rainfall on the side of the mountain facing the incoming winds (the windward side).
The Western Ghats, a prominent mountain range running parallel to India's western coast, act as a significant physical barrier to the southwest monsoon winds.
- The winds strike the western slopes of the Western Ghats, leading to extensive orographic rainfall in the coastal regions.
- Conversely, the leeward side (eastern slopes) lies in the rain shadow zone. This area receives significantly less rainfall, leading to dry conditions in the interior peninsula.
The other ranges mentioned (Aravalli, Satpura, Vindhya) do not create the same pronounced effect of blocking the primary southwest monsoon flow and causing such a distinct rainfall contrast across a large geographical area.
Therefore, the Western Ghats serve as the barrier responsible for this phenomenon.
Similar Questions
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Important Questions from Indian Climate
The hot weather season is also the season for localised thunderstorms, associated with violent winds, torrential downpours, often accompanied by hail. In West Bengal, these storms are known as the ______.
Tamil Nadu coast gets a large portion of its rain during ________ and __________.
Which hills in Meghalaya receive the maximum rainfall?
In the summer season (around mid-July), the surface low-pressure belt, known as the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), shifts northward to lie roughly parallel to the Himalayas between __________.
The Season of Retreating Monsoon occurs during which of the following months in India?
