Geography
What is meant by 'rainshadow area'? Give an example and state the mountains which are responsible for the rainshadow area.
Climate
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Answer
A rain shadow area is an area of dry land that lies on the leeward side of a mountain. High mountains act as barriers for cold if they are high enough and lie in the path of rain – bearing winds. The leeward side of the mountains remains dry.
The western ghats in India are an example of mountains causing rain shadow area. The moisture laden winds from the Arabian Sea branch shed most of its moisture on the western slopes of the western ghats due to which by the time they reach the eastern slopes of western ghats the winds have less moisture and this side receives very less rainfall. For example, Mahabaleshwar situated on the Western side of western ghats, receives 250 cm of rainfall whereas Pune, only a few km away, receives less than 70 cm of rainfall.
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Mention the different sources of rain in Punjab and Tamil Nadu during the winter season.
(i) Name the seasons during which the North-East Trade Winds dominate.
(ii) How do these winds affect the climate of India?
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(iii) Even in summer Shimla is cooler than Delhi.
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(ii) West Bengal