Question

Give reasons for the following.

Mumbai receives more rainfall from Southwest monsoon winds than Pune does.

Answer 1

1. Location Relative to the Mountains: Mumbai is located on the windward side (western edge) of the Western Ghats, directly facing the Arabian Sea.
   Pune is situated on the leeward (eastern) side of the Alps, in an area known as the "rain shadow" region.
2. The Orographic Lift: When moisture-laden Southwest Monsoon winds blow inland from the Arabian Sea, they hit the Western Ghats, a tall, continuous barrier. The mountains act as a barrier, causing incoming winds to rise upward.
3. Heavy Rainfall on the Windward Side (Mumbai): As the damp air is forced up the western slopes, it expands and cools. Cold air cannot store as much moisture as warm air, resulting in fast condensation. This causes strong, continuous rains over the coastal lowlands and western slopes, drenching Mumbai.
4. The Rain Shadow Effect: By the time these monsoon winds cross the peaks of the Western Ghats and begin their descend onto the Deccan Plateau, where Pune is located, they have already lost the great bulk of their moisture.