Question

Assertion (A): The Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall.

Reason (R): They intercept the southwest monsoon winds.

• A. Both A and R are true and R explains A
• B. Both true but R is not the correct explanation of A
• C. A is true but R is false
• D. A is false but R is true

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Both A and R are true and R explains A

Geographical Basis of Rainfall in Western Ghats

• Orographic Rainfall: The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri mountains, act as a massive barrier to the moisture-laden south-west monsoon winds originating from the Arabian Sea.

• Mechanism of Precipitation: As these winds strike the steep western slopes of the Western Ghats, they are forced to rise vertically. This forced ascent causes the air to cool, condense, and result in heavy orographic rainfall on the windward side (coastal Kerala, Konkan, and Karnataka).

• Rain Shadow Area: Conversely, the leeward side of the Western Ghats (the Deccan Plateau region) experiences significantly lower rainfall, a phenomenon known as the Rain Shadow Effect, because the winds lose most of their moisture content while crossing the high mountain crests.