Why does Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats both receive sufficient...
A rain shadow is a dry area on the leeward side of a mountainous area (away from the wind). Deccan Plateau falls in a rain shadow area thus it receives scanty rainfall.
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Why does Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats both receive sufficient...
Rain Shadow Effect
The Deccan Plateau experiences scanty rainfall primarily due to the rain shadow effect, which is a phenomenon where one side of a mountain range receives ample moisture while the opposite side remains dry.
Geographical Context
- The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats are mountain ranges that run parallel to the southwestern coast of India.
- When the southwest monsoon winds blow in from the Arabian Sea, they encounter the Western Ghats first.
How Rain Shadow Works
- As these moist winds ascend the Western Ghats, they cool and condense, leading to significant rainfall on the windward side (the side facing the winds).
- The Eastern Ghats, although not as prominent, also receive moisture, but to a lesser extent compared to the Western Ghats.
Deccan Plateau's Position
- The Deccan Plateau lies on the leeward side of the Western Ghats.
- Once the winds pass over the mountains and descend on the other side, they become drier, resulting in significantly reduced rainfall over the plateau.
Conclusion
- Thus, the Deccan Plateau's location in relation to the Western Ghats leads to a rain shadow effect where it receives little to no rain, while the Ghats themselves receive sufficient rainfall.
- This contributes to the distinct climatic differences observed across these regions in India.