Maharashtra: Major Relief Features, Rivers & Climate | Maharashtra State PSC (MPSC): Preparation - MPSC (Maharastra) PDF Download

 Page 1


  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
The State of Maharashtra was formed on 1
st 
May 1960. The movement 
by Sanyukta Maharashtra Samiti led to the division of the Bombay State 
into Gujarat (speaking Gujarati and Kutchhi) and Maharashtra (speaking 
Marathi and Konkani through Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 enacted 
by the Parliament of India on 25 April 1960. The act came into effect on 1 
May 1960. Mumbai is the Capital of the state and financial capital of the 
country as it contributes to the highest revenue earning deposits to the 
country. Presently the state has 36 districts as Palghar has been formed as 
the new district of the state carved out from Thane district on 01
st
 August 
2014. 
* Location and Size: 
i) The absolute location is given with reference to latitude and longitude 
extent of any area. Thus the absolute latitudinal and longitudinal extent is 
15
0
44 to 22
0
6  north latitudes and 72
0
36  to 80
0
54  east longitudes of 
Maharashtra State. 
ii) Relative location is explained with reference to its neighbouring area in 
different directions. Thus state of Maharashtra is confined with land 
boundaries of Madhya Pradesh to its north, Chhattisgarh to its east, 
Telangana to its south east, Karnataka to its south, Goa to its south west 
and, the natural water front boundary of Arabian Sea to west, Dadra and 
Nagar Haveli (union territories) and Gujarat state to its north-west 
iii) Size: Size is explained with reference to its total area and extent. 
Thus total area of Maharashtra state is 3,07,690 square kilometres (sq.km). 
Its length (north-south extent) is 720 km. and its breadth (east-west 
extent) is 800 km. Its total coastline along Arabian Sea is 720 km. 
while its land boundary with all the neighbouring state is km. When 
compared with the share of its land and population to India it is 9.36 % 
of land area and 9.29% share of population (2011 Census). It is the 
third largest state in terms of land area and second largest populated 
state of the country. 
 SUBJECT DISCUSSION 
Relief features also play an important role in determining the 
climate and drainage system of a region. The consolidated interaction 
effect of these elements get reflected and recognised in its landscape cover 
of varied natural vegetation in a region. 
Page 2


  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
The State of Maharashtra was formed on 1
st 
May 1960. The movement 
by Sanyukta Maharashtra Samiti led to the division of the Bombay State 
into Gujarat (speaking Gujarati and Kutchhi) and Maharashtra (speaking 
Marathi and Konkani through Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 enacted 
by the Parliament of India on 25 April 1960. The act came into effect on 1 
May 1960. Mumbai is the Capital of the state and financial capital of the 
country as it contributes to the highest revenue earning deposits to the 
country. Presently the state has 36 districts as Palghar has been formed as 
the new district of the state carved out from Thane district on 01
st
 August 
2014. 
* Location and Size: 
i) The absolute location is given with reference to latitude and longitude 
extent of any area. Thus the absolute latitudinal and longitudinal extent is 
15
0
44 to 22
0
6  north latitudes and 72
0
36  to 80
0
54  east longitudes of 
Maharashtra State. 
ii) Relative location is explained with reference to its neighbouring area in 
different directions. Thus state of Maharashtra is confined with land 
boundaries of Madhya Pradesh to its north, Chhattisgarh to its east, 
Telangana to its south east, Karnataka to its south, Goa to its south west 
and, the natural water front boundary of Arabian Sea to west, Dadra and 
Nagar Haveli (union territories) and Gujarat state to its north-west 
iii) Size: Size is explained with reference to its total area and extent. 
Thus total area of Maharashtra state is 3,07,690 square kilometres (sq.km). 
Its length (north-south extent) is 720 km. and its breadth (east-west 
extent) is 800 km. Its total coastline along Arabian Sea is 720 km. 
while its land boundary with all the neighbouring state is km. When 
compared with the share of its land and population to India it is 9.36 % 
of land area and 9.29% share of population (2011 Census). It is the 
third largest state in terms of land area and second largest populated 
state of the country. 
 SUBJECT DISCUSSION 
Relief features also play an important role in determining the 
climate and drainage system of a region. The consolidated interaction 
effect of these elements get reflected and recognised in its landscape cover 
of varied natural vegetation in a region. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The State of Maharashtra is bestowed with great relief features ranging 
from mountain and hills; peaks and cliffs; ghats and valleys; plateaus; 
river and coastal plains; beaches and creeks. Its drainage system in the form 
of large rivers with its tributaries and rivulets; springs, ponds and lakes 
provide with fresh water resources. The state has tropical monsoon 
climate with seasonal rains as heavy as over 400 cm in some regions. 
Warm summer starts from March onwards up to late October, while 
winters are mild. Let us discuss these above mentioned aspects in detail as 
under: 
 MAHARASHTRA RELIEF 
5.4.1. Introduction: Physiographically the state of Maharashtra largely 
comprises of three broad divisions: 
a) The Mountain range of Sahyadri’s or Western Ghats 
b) The Plateau region of Deccan 
c) The Coastal Plain of Konkan 
a) The Mountain range of Sahyadri’s or Western Ghats: is the 
mountainous faulted and eroded edge of the Deccan Plateau. The average 
elevation in this mountain is 1000 to 1200 meters above mean sea level. 
The Sahyadri mountain range runs parallel to the Arabian seacoast. There 
are many offshoots branching eastwards from the main Sahyadri ranges 
such as Satmala, Ajanta, Harishchandra, Balaghat and Mahadeo hills. 
Its highest peak is Kalsubai at an altitude of 1650 meter. Most of the 
rivers in Maharashtra originate in the Sahyadri that forms the water- 
divide to produce eastward and westward flowing rivers. These ranges 
are also characterised by a number of ghats (passes), the important 
ones being Thal, Bor, Kumbharli, Amba, Phonda and; Amboli from 
transport view point since ancient times. 
 
Fig: Sahyadri main water divides 
Page 3


  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
The State of Maharashtra was formed on 1
st 
May 1960. The movement 
by Sanyukta Maharashtra Samiti led to the division of the Bombay State 
into Gujarat (speaking Gujarati and Kutchhi) and Maharashtra (speaking 
Marathi and Konkani through Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 enacted 
by the Parliament of India on 25 April 1960. The act came into effect on 1 
May 1960. Mumbai is the Capital of the state and financial capital of the 
country as it contributes to the highest revenue earning deposits to the 
country. Presently the state has 36 districts as Palghar has been formed as 
the new district of the state carved out from Thane district on 01
st
 August 
2014. 
* Location and Size: 
i) The absolute location is given with reference to latitude and longitude 
extent of any area. Thus the absolute latitudinal and longitudinal extent is 
15
0
44 to 22
0
6  north latitudes and 72
0
36  to 80
0
54  east longitudes of 
Maharashtra State. 
ii) Relative location is explained with reference to its neighbouring area in 
different directions. Thus state of Maharashtra is confined with land 
boundaries of Madhya Pradesh to its north, Chhattisgarh to its east, 
Telangana to its south east, Karnataka to its south, Goa to its south west 
and, the natural water front boundary of Arabian Sea to west, Dadra and 
Nagar Haveli (union territories) and Gujarat state to its north-west 
iii) Size: Size is explained with reference to its total area and extent. 
Thus total area of Maharashtra state is 3,07,690 square kilometres (sq.km). 
Its length (north-south extent) is 720 km. and its breadth (east-west 
extent) is 800 km. Its total coastline along Arabian Sea is 720 km. 
while its land boundary with all the neighbouring state is km. When 
compared with the share of its land and population to India it is 9.36 % 
of land area and 9.29% share of population (2011 Census). It is the 
third largest state in terms of land area and second largest populated 
state of the country. 
 SUBJECT DISCUSSION 
Relief features also play an important role in determining the 
climate and drainage system of a region. The consolidated interaction 
effect of these elements get reflected and recognised in its landscape cover 
of varied natural vegetation in a region. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The State of Maharashtra is bestowed with great relief features ranging 
from mountain and hills; peaks and cliffs; ghats and valleys; plateaus; 
river and coastal plains; beaches and creeks. Its drainage system in the form 
of large rivers with its tributaries and rivulets; springs, ponds and lakes 
provide with fresh water resources. The state has tropical monsoon 
climate with seasonal rains as heavy as over 400 cm in some regions. 
Warm summer starts from March onwards up to late October, while 
winters are mild. Let us discuss these above mentioned aspects in detail as 
under: 
 MAHARASHTRA RELIEF 
5.4.1. Introduction: Physiographically the state of Maharashtra largely 
comprises of three broad divisions: 
a) The Mountain range of Sahyadri’s or Western Ghats 
b) The Plateau region of Deccan 
c) The Coastal Plain of Konkan 
a) The Mountain range of Sahyadri’s or Western Ghats: is the 
mountainous faulted and eroded edge of the Deccan Plateau. The average 
elevation in this mountain is 1000 to 1200 meters above mean sea level. 
The Sahyadri mountain range runs parallel to the Arabian seacoast. There 
are many offshoots branching eastwards from the main Sahyadri ranges 
such as Satmala, Ajanta, Harishchandra, Balaghat and Mahadeo hills. 
Its highest peak is Kalsubai at an altitude of 1650 meter. Most of the 
rivers in Maharashtra originate in the Sahyadri that forms the water- 
divide to produce eastward and westward flowing rivers. These ranges 
are also characterised by a number of ghats (passes), the important 
ones being Thal, Bor, Kumbharli, Amba, Phonda and; Amboli from 
transport view point since ancient times. 
 
Fig: Sahyadri main water divides 
  
 
 
 
 
b) The Plateau region of Deccan: In the north the plateau is flanked 
by Satpura ranges, which run in the East-West direction in Maharashtra. It 
is important to note that a large area of Maharashtra state is a 
highland of Deccan plateau formed by the volcanic activity and the 
subsequent cooling down of the lava. The rocks are of igneous type 
mainly basalt and granite. The altitude of the plateau varies from 450 to 
750 meters. Important cities of this region are Pune, Nagpur and Solapur. 
c) The Coastal Plain of Konkan: Konkan coastal region is a narrow 
plain that stretches from the states of Gujarat to Kerala lying to the west 
between the Arabian Sea and the western ghats of the Sahyadri range. This 
coastal strip is barely 50 km in width which is wider in the north and 
narrows down to the south. The coastline is dissected by the branches of 
Sahyadri’s and wave-cut platforms that form river creeks up to the 
coast. 
? The Konkan coastal plains of the State extend from Daman in the 
north to the Terekhol creek in the south for about 750 km to the west 
of Sahyadri. 
? The important creeks in Konkan from north to south are 
Vaitarna, Thane, Dharamtar, Dabhol, Rajapuri, Vijaydurg and 
Terekhol. 
? The Konkan coastal districts of Maharashtra are Palghar, 
Thane, Greater Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. 
? Konkan coastal lowland is just 20 to 40 km in width in the southern 
districts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts. While the northern 
districts of Thane and Palghar have relatively wider coastal lowland 
with 80 to 100 km. width. The relief of this lowland is dominated 
and interspersed with numerous scattered low hills. 
? Greater Mumbai is an island with Salsette largely coalesced by 
reclaiming the low-lying area of the sea. 
? The Konkan coastal region is marked by hilly and narrow valleys, 
highly dissected with transverse ridges of the Western Ghats and 
at many places extending as promontories, notches, sea caves, 
embayment, submerged shoals and offshore islands. 
Page 4


  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
The State of Maharashtra was formed on 1
st 
May 1960. The movement 
by Sanyukta Maharashtra Samiti led to the division of the Bombay State 
into Gujarat (speaking Gujarati and Kutchhi) and Maharashtra (speaking 
Marathi and Konkani through Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 enacted 
by the Parliament of India on 25 April 1960. The act came into effect on 1 
May 1960. Mumbai is the Capital of the state and financial capital of the 
country as it contributes to the highest revenue earning deposits to the 
country. Presently the state has 36 districts as Palghar has been formed as 
the new district of the state carved out from Thane district on 01
st
 August 
2014. 
* Location and Size: 
i) The absolute location is given with reference to latitude and longitude 
extent of any area. Thus the absolute latitudinal and longitudinal extent is 
15
0
44 to 22
0
6  north latitudes and 72
0
36  to 80
0
54  east longitudes of 
Maharashtra State. 
ii) Relative location is explained with reference to its neighbouring area in 
different directions. Thus state of Maharashtra is confined with land 
boundaries of Madhya Pradesh to its north, Chhattisgarh to its east, 
Telangana to its south east, Karnataka to its south, Goa to its south west 
and, the natural water front boundary of Arabian Sea to west, Dadra and 
Nagar Haveli (union territories) and Gujarat state to its north-west 
iii) Size: Size is explained with reference to its total area and extent. 
Thus total area of Maharashtra state is 3,07,690 square kilometres (sq.km). 
Its length (north-south extent) is 720 km. and its breadth (east-west 
extent) is 800 km. Its total coastline along Arabian Sea is 720 km. 
while its land boundary with all the neighbouring state is km. When 
compared with the share of its land and population to India it is 9.36 % 
of land area and 9.29% share of population (2011 Census). It is the 
third largest state in terms of land area and second largest populated 
state of the country. 
 SUBJECT DISCUSSION 
Relief features also play an important role in determining the 
climate and drainage system of a region. The consolidated interaction 
effect of these elements get reflected and recognised in its landscape cover 
of varied natural vegetation in a region. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The State of Maharashtra is bestowed with great relief features ranging 
from mountain and hills; peaks and cliffs; ghats and valleys; plateaus; 
river and coastal plains; beaches and creeks. Its drainage system in the form 
of large rivers with its tributaries and rivulets; springs, ponds and lakes 
provide with fresh water resources. The state has tropical monsoon 
climate with seasonal rains as heavy as over 400 cm in some regions. 
Warm summer starts from March onwards up to late October, while 
winters are mild. Let us discuss these above mentioned aspects in detail as 
under: 
 MAHARASHTRA RELIEF 
5.4.1. Introduction: Physiographically the state of Maharashtra largely 
comprises of three broad divisions: 
a) The Mountain range of Sahyadri’s or Western Ghats 
b) The Plateau region of Deccan 
c) The Coastal Plain of Konkan 
a) The Mountain range of Sahyadri’s or Western Ghats: is the 
mountainous faulted and eroded edge of the Deccan Plateau. The average 
elevation in this mountain is 1000 to 1200 meters above mean sea level. 
The Sahyadri mountain range runs parallel to the Arabian seacoast. There 
are many offshoots branching eastwards from the main Sahyadri ranges 
such as Satmala, Ajanta, Harishchandra, Balaghat and Mahadeo hills. 
Its highest peak is Kalsubai at an altitude of 1650 meter. Most of the 
rivers in Maharashtra originate in the Sahyadri that forms the water- 
divide to produce eastward and westward flowing rivers. These ranges 
are also characterised by a number of ghats (passes), the important 
ones being Thal, Bor, Kumbharli, Amba, Phonda and; Amboli from 
transport view point since ancient times. 
 
Fig: Sahyadri main water divides 
  
 
 
 
 
b) The Plateau region of Deccan: In the north the plateau is flanked 
by Satpura ranges, which run in the East-West direction in Maharashtra. It 
is important to note that a large area of Maharashtra state is a 
highland of Deccan plateau formed by the volcanic activity and the 
subsequent cooling down of the lava. The rocks are of igneous type 
mainly basalt and granite. The altitude of the plateau varies from 450 to 
750 meters. Important cities of this region are Pune, Nagpur and Solapur. 
c) The Coastal Plain of Konkan: Konkan coastal region is a narrow 
plain that stretches from the states of Gujarat to Kerala lying to the west 
between the Arabian Sea and the western ghats of the Sahyadri range. This 
coastal strip is barely 50 km in width which is wider in the north and 
narrows down to the south. The coastline is dissected by the branches of 
Sahyadri’s and wave-cut platforms that form river creeks up to the 
coast. 
? The Konkan coastal plains of the State extend from Daman in the 
north to the Terekhol creek in the south for about 750 km to the west 
of Sahyadri. 
? The important creeks in Konkan from north to south are 
Vaitarna, Thane, Dharamtar, Dabhol, Rajapuri, Vijaydurg and 
Terekhol. 
? The Konkan coastal districts of Maharashtra are Palghar, 
Thane, Greater Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. 
? Konkan coastal lowland is just 20 to 40 km in width in the southern 
districts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts. While the northern 
districts of Thane and Palghar have relatively wider coastal lowland 
with 80 to 100 km. width. The relief of this lowland is dominated 
and interspersed with numerous scattered low hills. 
? Greater Mumbai is an island with Salsette largely coalesced by 
reclaiming the low-lying area of the sea. 
? The Konkan coastal region is marked by hilly and narrow valleys, 
highly dissected with transverse ridges of the Western Ghats and 
at many places extending as promontories, notches, sea caves, 
embayment, submerged shoals and offshore islands. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fig: Major hill ranges and Rivers in Maharashtra 
MAJOR RIVERS AND RIVER SYSTEM OF 
MAHARASHTRA 
Drainage system: Tapi, Godavari, Bhima and Krishna are the main 
rivers of the state. About 75% area of Maharashtra is drained by 
eastward gently flowing rivers of the Godavari and Krishna into the 
Bay of Bengal. Other 25% area is drained by westward flowing rivers 
of Narmada and Tapi ; and short-swift flowing Konkan Rivers rising 
from cliffs of Sahyadri viz: Ulhas, Savitri, Vashishthi and Shastri 
flowing into the Arabian Sea. 
 The rivers of Konkan rise from the cliffs of Sahyadri and have a short 
swift flow into the Arabian Sea. Some important rivers are Ulhas, Savitri, 
Vashishthi and Shastri. 
Page 5


  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
The State of Maharashtra was formed on 1
st 
May 1960. The movement 
by Sanyukta Maharashtra Samiti led to the division of the Bombay State 
into Gujarat (speaking Gujarati and Kutchhi) and Maharashtra (speaking 
Marathi and Konkani through Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 enacted 
by the Parliament of India on 25 April 1960. The act came into effect on 1 
May 1960. Mumbai is the Capital of the state and financial capital of the 
country as it contributes to the highest revenue earning deposits to the 
country. Presently the state has 36 districts as Palghar has been formed as 
the new district of the state carved out from Thane district on 01
st
 August 
2014. 
* Location and Size: 
i) The absolute location is given with reference to latitude and longitude 
extent of any area. Thus the absolute latitudinal and longitudinal extent is 
15
0
44 to 22
0
6  north latitudes and 72
0
36  to 80
0
54  east longitudes of 
Maharashtra State. 
ii) Relative location is explained with reference to its neighbouring area in 
different directions. Thus state of Maharashtra is confined with land 
boundaries of Madhya Pradesh to its north, Chhattisgarh to its east, 
Telangana to its south east, Karnataka to its south, Goa to its south west 
and, the natural water front boundary of Arabian Sea to west, Dadra and 
Nagar Haveli (union territories) and Gujarat state to its north-west 
iii) Size: Size is explained with reference to its total area and extent. 
Thus total area of Maharashtra state is 3,07,690 square kilometres (sq.km). 
Its length (north-south extent) is 720 km. and its breadth (east-west 
extent) is 800 km. Its total coastline along Arabian Sea is 720 km. 
while its land boundary with all the neighbouring state is km. When 
compared with the share of its land and population to India it is 9.36 % 
of land area and 9.29% share of population (2011 Census). It is the 
third largest state in terms of land area and second largest populated 
state of the country. 
 SUBJECT DISCUSSION 
Relief features also play an important role in determining the 
climate and drainage system of a region. The consolidated interaction 
effect of these elements get reflected and recognised in its landscape cover 
of varied natural vegetation in a region. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The State of Maharashtra is bestowed with great relief features ranging 
from mountain and hills; peaks and cliffs; ghats and valleys; plateaus; 
river and coastal plains; beaches and creeks. Its drainage system in the form 
of large rivers with its tributaries and rivulets; springs, ponds and lakes 
provide with fresh water resources. The state has tropical monsoon 
climate with seasonal rains as heavy as over 400 cm in some regions. 
Warm summer starts from March onwards up to late October, while 
winters are mild. Let us discuss these above mentioned aspects in detail as 
under: 
 MAHARASHTRA RELIEF 
5.4.1. Introduction: Physiographically the state of Maharashtra largely 
comprises of three broad divisions: 
a) The Mountain range of Sahyadri’s or Western Ghats 
b) The Plateau region of Deccan 
c) The Coastal Plain of Konkan 
a) The Mountain range of Sahyadri’s or Western Ghats: is the 
mountainous faulted and eroded edge of the Deccan Plateau. The average 
elevation in this mountain is 1000 to 1200 meters above mean sea level. 
The Sahyadri mountain range runs parallel to the Arabian seacoast. There 
are many offshoots branching eastwards from the main Sahyadri ranges 
such as Satmala, Ajanta, Harishchandra, Balaghat and Mahadeo hills. 
Its highest peak is Kalsubai at an altitude of 1650 meter. Most of the 
rivers in Maharashtra originate in the Sahyadri that forms the water- 
divide to produce eastward and westward flowing rivers. These ranges 
are also characterised by a number of ghats (passes), the important 
ones being Thal, Bor, Kumbharli, Amba, Phonda and; Amboli from 
transport view point since ancient times. 
 
Fig: Sahyadri main water divides 
  
 
 
 
 
b) The Plateau region of Deccan: In the north the plateau is flanked 
by Satpura ranges, which run in the East-West direction in Maharashtra. It 
is important to note that a large area of Maharashtra state is a 
highland of Deccan plateau formed by the volcanic activity and the 
subsequent cooling down of the lava. The rocks are of igneous type 
mainly basalt and granite. The altitude of the plateau varies from 450 to 
750 meters. Important cities of this region are Pune, Nagpur and Solapur. 
c) The Coastal Plain of Konkan: Konkan coastal region is a narrow 
plain that stretches from the states of Gujarat to Kerala lying to the west 
between the Arabian Sea and the western ghats of the Sahyadri range. This 
coastal strip is barely 50 km in width which is wider in the north and 
narrows down to the south. The coastline is dissected by the branches of 
Sahyadri’s and wave-cut platforms that form river creeks up to the 
coast. 
? The Konkan coastal plains of the State extend from Daman in the 
north to the Terekhol creek in the south for about 750 km to the west 
of Sahyadri. 
? The important creeks in Konkan from north to south are 
Vaitarna, Thane, Dharamtar, Dabhol, Rajapuri, Vijaydurg and 
Terekhol. 
? The Konkan coastal districts of Maharashtra are Palghar, 
Thane, Greater Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. 
? Konkan coastal lowland is just 20 to 40 km in width in the southern 
districts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts. While the northern 
districts of Thane and Palghar have relatively wider coastal lowland 
with 80 to 100 km. width. The relief of this lowland is dominated 
and interspersed with numerous scattered low hills. 
? Greater Mumbai is an island with Salsette largely coalesced by 
reclaiming the low-lying area of the sea. 
? The Konkan coastal region is marked by hilly and narrow valleys, 
highly dissected with transverse ridges of the Western Ghats and 
at many places extending as promontories, notches, sea caves, 
embayment, submerged shoals and offshore islands. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fig: Major hill ranges and Rivers in Maharashtra 
MAJOR RIVERS AND RIVER SYSTEM OF 
MAHARASHTRA 
Drainage system: Tapi, Godavari, Bhima and Krishna are the main 
rivers of the state. About 75% area of Maharashtra is drained by 
eastward gently flowing rivers of the Godavari and Krishna into the 
Bay of Bengal. Other 25% area is drained by westward flowing rivers 
of Narmada and Tapi ; and short-swift flowing Konkan Rivers rising 
from cliffs of Sahyadri viz: Ulhas, Savitri, Vashishthi and Shastri 
flowing into the Arabian Sea. 
 The rivers of Konkan rise from the cliffs of Sahyadri and have a short 
swift flow into the Arabian Sea. Some important rivers are Ulhas, Savitri, 
Vashishthi and Shastri. 
  
 
 
 
 
 Climatically the State of Maharashtra overall enjoys tropical monsoon 
type of climate which is hot and humid for most part of the year. 
Maharashtra receives its rainfall mainly from south-west monsoon. 
The rainfall in state varies considerably with as heavy as over 400 cm in 
some regions. There is heavy rainfall in the coastal region, scanty rains in 
rain shadow areas in the central part and moderate rains in eastern parts of 
the state. The state however experiences four seasons: 
i) The Summer season from March to May 
ii) The rainy season from June to September 
iii) The Post monsoon season from October to November iii) The Winter 
season from December to February 
 Physiographically this state may be divided into three natural 
divisions – 
1. the coastal strip (the Konkan), consists undulating low lands. 
2. the Sahyadri or the Western Ghats, running almost parallel to the sea 
coast. 
3. a. the plateau 
b. The Shambhu Mahadeo, Harischandra-Balaghat and AjantaSatmal 
mountain ranges, again divide Deccan plateau region into three 
subdivisions separating: 
Krishna basin 
Bhima basin 
Godavari basin 
Tapi-Purna basin 
 The major relief features of Maharashtra are as follows: 1. The 
Sahyadri Range:  
? The Western Ghats of Maharashtra known as the ‘Sahyadri’ mountain 
ranges have an average elevation of 1000-1200 m above the MSL. 
? It extends from near the Tapi mouth to much further beyond the southern 
limits of the state. 
? The Sahyadri hills run southwards, parallel to the seacoast, with many 
offshoots branching eastwards from the main ranges, for example, 
Satmala, Ajanta, Harishchandra, Balaghat and Mahadeo. 
? The slopes of the Sahyadri gently descend towards the east and south-
east. 
? The Western Ghats are not true mountains, but are the faulted edge of 
the Deccan plateau and are believed to have been formed during the