Why do the Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: Because they block the south-west monsoon
The Western Ghats lie across the path of moisture-bearing south-west monsoon winds coming from the Arabian Sea. When these winds meet the mountain barrier, they are forced to rise. Rising air cools, water vapour condenses into clouds, and rain falls on the windward western slopes. This is called orographic rainfall. The western side therefore receives heavy rain, while the eastern side is relatively drier and lies partly in a rain-shadow region.
Option A correctly states that the Western Ghats block and lift the south-west monsoon. Snowstorms, sandstorms, and sea earthquakes do not provide the geographical mechanism for the regular monsoon rainfall received there. The important chain is moist winds, mountain obstruction, rising air, cooling, condensation, and rainfall. Thus option A is the correct explanation of the heavy rainfall of the Western Ghats.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct answer to this question?
Because they block the south-west monsoon
Why is this the correct answer?
The Western Ghats lie across the path of moisture-bearing south-west monsoon winds coming from the Arabian Sea. When these winds meet the mountain barrier, they are forced to rise. Rising air cools, water vapour condenses into clouds, and rain falls on the windward western slopes. This is called orographic rainfall. The western side therefore receives heavy rain, while the eastern side is relatively drier and lies partly in a rain-shadow region.
Option A correctly states that the Western Ghats block and lift the south-west monsoon. Snowstorms, sandstorms, and sea earthquakes do not provide the geographical mechanism for the regular monsoon rainfall received there. The important chain is moist winds, mountain obstruction, rising air, cooling, condensation, and rainfall. Thus option A is the correct explanation of the heavy rainfall of the Western Ghats.
Which subject and chapter does this question cover?
This is a Class 10 General Knowledge question. Chapter: Indian Geography. Topic: Mountains and Plateaus of India.
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