During the winter season, surface winds blow from the high-pressure centre over ____________, reaching India as a dry continental air mass.

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Central Asia.

Explanation:
During the winter season, the high-pressure system over Central Asia drives dry, cool winds towards India. These winds, part of the winter monsoon, bring dry continental air and cause cold weather, particularly in the northwestern and northern regions of India. The cold winds from Central Asia are responsible for the dry winter conditions in India, especially affecting areas like Rajasthan and the Thar Desert.

Information Booster:

• Central Asia experiences cold winters, and the resulting high-pressure system pushes dry winds towards India.

• The Himalayan range acts as a natural barrier, preventing these cold winds from affecting the entire subcontinent, keeping southern regions warmer.

• The winter monsoon winds from Central Asia are primarily felt in the northwestern regions, including Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

• Peninsular India remains largely unaffected by these winds and enjoys more moderate winter temperatures due to the Indian Ocean's influence.

• The Western Ghats and Aravalli Range do not play a significant role in the movement of dry continental air during the winter season.

Additional Knowledge:

• Peninsular India: The coastal regions of South India experience a milder winter due to the moderating effect of the Indian Ocean.

• Western Ghats: The Western Ghats are responsible for influencing the monsoon winds but not the dry winter winds from Central Asia.

• Aravalli Range: The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in India, but it doesn't significantly affect the dry winter winds coming from Central Asia.