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.
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